THE  LIBRARY  OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA 

AT  CHAPEL  HILL 


PRESENTED  BY 

Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Roland  McClameroch,   Jr. 


JAMES  FEUIIOEE  COOPER'S  HOTELS. 


NEW    EDITION. 


H  The  enduring"  monuments  of  Fenimore  Cooper  are  his 
works.  While  the  love  of  country  continues  to  prevail,  his 
memory  will  exist  in  the  hearts  of  the  people.  So  truly  patriotic 
and  American  throughout,  they  should  find  a  place  in  every 
American's  library.— Daniel  Webster. 


The  undersigned  have  commenced  the  publication  of  a  new  Library 
Edition  of  Cooper's  Novels,  well  printed  and  bound  in  handsome  style. 
The  volumes  will  be  issued  rapidly,  in  the  following  order : 


1.  The  Spy. 

2.  The  Pilot. 
S.  Bed  Rover. 

4.  The  Beerslayer. 

5.  The  Pathfinder. 

6.  The  Last  of  the  lo- 

hicans. 

7.  The  Pioneers. 

8.  The  Prairie. 

9.  Lionel  Lincoln. 
1©.  Wept    of  Wish-ton- 

Wish. 
11.  The  Water-witch. 


16.  Miles  Wallingford. 

17.  lining  and  Wing. 

18.  Oak  Openings. 

19.  Satanstoe. 

SO.  The  Chain-hearer. 
31.  The  Red-skins. 

22.  The  Crater. 

23.  Homeward  Bound, 
SJU  Home  as  Found. 
25.  Heideiimauer. 

3G.  The  Headsman. 
27.  Jack  Tier. 
38.  The  Sea  Lions. 


29.  Wyandotte. 


12.  The  Bravo. 

13.  Mercedes  of  Castile.  30.  The  Monikins. 

14.  The  Two   Admirals.  31.  Precaution. 

15.  Afloat  and  Ashore.      33.  Ways  of  the  Hour. 

l£mo.    Brown  Cloth.     Gilt  side  and  bach. 
PRICE,    $1.50    PER    VOLUME. 

D.  APPLETON  &  i/Mlta,  New  Yoit 


UNIVERSITY  OF  N.C.  AT  CHAPEL  HILL 


00020914904 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2013 


http://archive.org/details/mercedesofcastilOOcoop 


MERCEDES     OF    CASTILE. 


)sT3 
MERCEDES  OF  CASTILE; 


OE, 


THE    VOTAGE     TO     CATHAY. 


BY 

J.    FENIMORE    COOPER. 


•'  I  fill  this  cup  to  one  made  up  of  loveliness  alone, 
A  woman,  of  her  gentle  sex  the  seeming  paragon  *, 
To  whom  the  better  elements  and  kindly  stars  have  given 
A  form  so  fair,  that,  like  the  air,  'tis  less  of  earth  than  heaven.1' 

PlNKNEY. 


NEW  YORK: 

D.    APPLETON    AND    COMPANY, 

549    &    551    BROADWAY. 

1873. 

THE  LIBRARY 

THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA 

AT  CHAPEL  HILL 


Entered,  according  to  the  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1861,  by 

W.  A.  TOWNSENJJ  AND  COMPANY, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  Southern  District  of  New  York. 


PREFACE. 


So  much  lias  been  written  of  late  years,  touching  the 
discovery  of  America,  that  it  would  not  be  at  all  sur- 
prising should  there  exist  a  disposition  in  a  certain 
class  of  readers  to  deny  the  accuracy  of  all  the  state- 
ments in  this  work.  Some  may  refer  to  history,  with  a 
view  to  prove  that  there  never  were  such  persons  as  our 
hero  and  heroine,  and  fancy  that  by  establishing  these 
facts,  they  completely  destroy  the  authenticity  of  the 
whole  book.  In  answer  to  this  anticipated  objection, 
we  will  state,  that  after  carefully  perusing  several  of  the 
Spanish  writers — from  Cervantes  to  the  translator  of  the 
journal  of  Columbus,  the  Alpha  and  Omega  of  penin- 
sular literature — and  after  having  read  both  Irving  and 
Prescott  from  beginning  to  end,  we  do  not  find  a 
syllable  in  either  of  them,  that  we  understand  to  be 


PREFACE. 


conclusive  evidence,  or  indeed  to  be  any  evidence  at  all, 
on  tlie  portions  of  our  subject  tliat  are  likely  to  be 
disputed.  Until  some  solid  affirmative  proof,  therefore, 
can  be  produced  against  us,  we  shall  hold  our  case  to 
be  made  out,  and  rest  our  claims  to  be  believed  on  the 
authority  of  our  own  statements.  Nor  do  we  think 
there  is  any  thing  either  unreasonable  or  unusual  in 
this  course,  as  perhaps  the  greater  portion  of  that  which 
is  daily  and  hourly  offered  to  the  credence  of  the 
American  public,  rests  on  the  same  species  of  testimony 
— with  the  trifling  difference  that  we  state  truths,  with 
a  profession  of  fiction,  while  the  great  moral  caterers  of 
the  age  state  fiction  with  the  profession  of  truth.  If 
any  advantage  can  be  fairly  obtained  over  us,  in  con- 
sequence of  this  trifling  discrepancy,  we  must  submit. 

There  is  one  point,  notwithstanding,  concerning  which 
it  may  be  well  to  be  frank  at  once.  The  narrative  of 
the  "Voyage  to  Cathay,"  has  been  written  with  the 
journal  of  the  Admiral  before  us;  or,  rather,  with  all 
of  that  journal  that  has  been  given  to  the  worll 
through  the  agency  of  a  very  incompetent  and  meagre 
editor.  Nothing  is  plainer  than  the  general  fact  that 
this  person  did  not  always  understand  his  author,  and 
in  one  particular  circumstance  he  has  written  so  ob- 
scurely, as  not  a  little  to  embarrass  even  a  novelist, 
whose  functions  naturally  include  an  entire  familiarity 
with  the  thoughts,  emotions,  characters,  and,  occasion- 


PREFACE.  XI 

ally,  with  the  unknown  fates  of  the  subjects  of  his  pen. 
The  nautical  day  formerly  commenced  at  meridian,  and, 
with  all  our  native  ingenuity  and  high  professional 
prerogatives,  we  have  not  been  able  to  discover  whether 
the  editor  of  the  journal  has  adopted  that  mode  of 
counting  time,  or  whether  he  has  condescended  to  use 
the  more  vulgar  and  irrational  practice  of  landsmen. 
It  is  our  opinion,  however,  that  in  the  spirit  of  impar- 
tiality which  becomes  an  historian,  he  has  adopted 
both.  This  little  peculiarity  might  possibly  embarrass 
a  superficial  critic ;  but  accurate  critics  being  so  very 
common,  we  feel  no  concern  on  this  head,  well  know- 
ing that  they  will  be  much  more  apt  to  wink  at  these 
minor  inconsistencies,  than  to  pass  over  an  error  of  the 
press,  or  a  comma  with  a  broken  tail.  As  we  wish  to 
live  on  good  terms  with  this  useful  class  of  our  fellow- 
creatures,  we  have  directed  the  printers  to  mis-spell 
some  eight  or  ten  words  for  their  convenience,  and  to 
save  them  from  headaches,  have  honestly  stated  this 
principal  difficulty  ourselves. 

Should  the  publicity  which  is  now  given  to  the  con- 
sequences of  commencing  a  day  in  the  middle  have  the 
effect  to  induce  the  government  to  order  that  it  shall,  in 
future,  with  all  American  seamen,  commence  at  one  of 
its  ends,  something  will  be  gained  in  the  way  of  simplic- 
ity, and  the  writing  of  novels  will,  in-so-much,  be  ren- 
dered easier  and  more  agreeable. 


Xll 


PREFACE. 


As  respects  the  minor  characters  of  this  work,  very 
little  need  be  said.  Every  one  knows  that  Columbus 
had  seamen  in  his  vessels,  and  that  he  brought  some  of 
the  natives  of  the  islands  he  had  discovered,  back  with 
him  to  Spain.  The  reader  is  now  made  much  more 
intimately  acquainted  with  certain  of  these  individuals, 
we  will  venture  to  say,  than  he  can  be  possibly  by  the 
perusal  of  any  wTork  previously  written.  As  for  the  sub- 
ordinate incidents  connected  with  the  more  familiar 
events  of  the  age,  it  is  hoped  they  will  be  found  so 
completely  to  fill  up  this  branch  of  the  subject,  as  to 
render  future  investigations  unnecessary. 


MERCEDES  OF  CASTILE. 


CHAPTER  I. 

w  There  was  knocking  that  shook  the  marble  floor, 

And  a  voice  at  the  gate,  which  said — 
4  That  the  Cid  Ruy  Diez,  the  Carnpeador, 

Was  there  in  his  arms  array'd.1 " 

Mus.  Hermans. 

Whether  we  take  the  pictures  of  the  inimitable  Cervantes, 
or  of  that  scarcely  less  meritorious  author  from  whom  Le  Sage 
has  borrowed  his  immortal  tale,  for  our  guides ;  whether  we 
confide  in  the  graver  legends  of  history,  or  put  our  trust  in  the 
accounts  of  modern  travellers,  the  time  has  scarcely  ever  existed 
when  the  inns  of  Spain  were  good,  or  the  roads  safe.  These 
are  two  of  the  blessings  of  civilization  w^hich  the  people  of  the 
peninsula  would  really  seem  destined  never  to  attain  ;  for,  in  all 
ages,  we  hear,  or  have  heard,  of  wrongs  done  the  traveller 
equally  by  the  robber  and  the  host.  If  such  are  the  facts  to-day, 
such  also  were  the  facts  in  the  middle  of  the  fifteenth  century, 
the  period  to  which  we  desire  to  carry  back  the  reader  in 
imagination. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  month  of  October,  in  the  year 
of  our  Lord  1469,  John  of  Trastamara  reigned  in  Aragon, 
holding  his  court  at  a  place  called  Zaragosa,  a  town  lying  on 
the  Ebro,  the  name  of  which  is  supposed  to  be  a  corruption  of 
Caesar  Augustus,  and  a  city  that  has  become  celebrated  in  our 
own  times,  under  the  more  Anglicised  term  of  Saragossa,  for 
its  deeds  in  arms.  John  of  Trastamara,  or,  as  it  was  more 
usual  to  style   him,  agreeably  to  the  nomenclature  of  kings, 


14  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

John  II.,  was  one  of  the  most  sagacious  monarchs  of  his  age ; 
but  he  had  become  impoverished  by  many  conflicts  with  the 
turbulent,  or,  as  it  may  be  more  courtly  to  say,  the  liberty- 
loving  Catalonians ;  had  frequently  enough  to  do  to  maintain  his 
seat  on  the  throne ;  possessed  a  party-colored  empire  that  inclu- 
ded within  its  sway,  besides  his  native  Aragon  with  its  depend- 
encies of  Valencia  and  Catalonia,  Sicily  and  the  Balearic  Islands, 
with  some  very  questionable  rights  in  Navarre.  By  the  will  of 
his  elder  brother  and  predecessor,  the  crown  of  Naples  had  de- 
scended to  an  illegitimate  son  of  the  latter,  else  would  that 
kingdom  have  been  added  to  the  list.  The  King  of  Aragon 
had  seen  a  long  and  troubled  reign,  and,  at  this  very  moment, 
his  treasury  was  nearly  exhausted  by  his  efforts  to  subdue  the 
truculent  Catalans,  though  he  was  nearer  a  triumph  than  he 
could  then  foresee,  his  competitor,  the  Duke  of  Lorraine,  dying 
suddenly,  only  two  short  months  after  the  precise  period  chosen 
for  the  commencement  of  our  tale.  But  it  is  denied  to  man  to 
look  into  the  future,  and  on  the  9th  of  the  month  just  men- 
tioned, the  ingenuity  of  the  royal  treasurer  was  most  sorely 
taxed,  there  having  arisen  an  unexpected  demand  for  a  consid- 
erable sum  of  money,  at  the  very  moment  that  the  army  wTas 
about  to  disband  itself  for  the  want  of  pay,  and  the  public 
coffers  contained  only  the  very  moderate  sum  of  three  hundred 
jEJnriques,  or  Henrys — a  gold  coin  named  after  a  previous  mon- 
arch, and  which  had  a  value  not  far  from  that  of  the  modern 
ducat,  or  our  own  quarter  eagle.  The  matter,  however,  was  too 
pressing  to  be  deferred,  and  even  the  objects  of  the  war  were 
considered  as  secondary  to  those  connected  with  this  suddenly- 
conceived,  and  more  private  enterprise.  Councils  were  held, 
money-dealers  were  cajoled  or  frightened,  and  the  confidants 
of  the  court  were  very  manifestly  in  a  state  of  great  and  earnest 
excitement.  At  length,  the  time  of  preparation  appeared  to  be 
passed  and  the  instant  of  action  arrived.  Curiosity  was  relieved, 
and  the  citizens  of  Saragossa  were  permitted  to  know  that  their 
sovereign  was  about  to  send  a  solemn  embassy,  on  matters  of 
high. moment,  to  his  neighbor,  kinsman,  and  ally,  the  monarch 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  15 

of  Castile.  In  1469,  Henry,  also  of  Trastamara,  sat  upon  the 
throne  of  the  adjoining  kingdom,  under  the  title  of  Henry  IV. 
He  was  the  grandson,  in  the  male  line,  of  the  brother  of  John 
II.  's  father,  and,  consequently,  a  first-cousin  once  removed,  of 
the  monarch  of  Aragon.  Notwithstanding  this  affinity,  and 
the  strong  family  interests  that  might  be  supposed  to  unite 
them,  it  required  many  friendly  embassies  to  preserve  the  peace 
between  the  two  monarchs;  and  the  announcement  of  that 
which  was  about  to  depart,  produced  more  satisfaction  than 
wonder  in  the  streets  of  the  town. 

Henry  of  Castile,  though  he  reigned  over  broader  and  richer 
peninsular  territories  than  his  relative  of  Aragon,  had  his  cares 
and  troubles,  also.  He  had  been  twice  married,  having  repu- 
diated his  first  consort,  Blanche  of  Aragon,  to  wed  Joanna  of 
Portugal,  a  princess  of  a  levity  of  character  so  marked,  as  not 
only  to  bring  great  scandal  on  the  court  generally,  but  to  throw 
so  much  distrust  on  the  birth  of  her  only  child,  a  daughter,  as 
to  push  discontent  to  disaffection,  and  eventually  to  deprive  the 
infant  itself  of  the  rights  of  royalty.  Henry's  father,  like  him- 
self, had  been  twice  married,  and  the  issue  of  the  second  union 
was  a  son  and  a  daughter,  Alfonso  and  Isabella  ;  the  latter  be- 
coming subsequently  illustrious,  under  the  double  titles  of  the 
Queen  of  Castile,  and  of  the  Catholic.  The  luxurious  impotency 
of  Henry,  as  a  monarch,  had  driven  a  portion  of  his  subjects 
into  open  rebellion.  Three  years  preceding  that  selected  for 
our  opening,  his  brother  Alfonso  had  been  proclaimed  king  in 
his  stead,  and  a  civil  war  had  raged  throughout  his  provinces. 
This  war  had  been  recently  terminated  by  the  death  of  Alfonso, 
when  the  peace  of  the  kingdom  was  temporarily  restored  by  a 
treaty,  in  which  Henry  consented  to  the  setting  aside  of  his 
own  daughter — or  rather  of  the  daughter  of  Joanna  of  Portugal 
— and  to  the  recognition  of  his  half-sister  Isabella,  as  the  right- 
ful heiress  of  the  throne.  The  last  concession  was  the  result  of 
dire  necessity,  and,  as  might  have  been  expected,  it  led  to 
many  secret  and  violent  measures,  with  a  view  to  defeat  its  ob- 
jects. Among  the  other  expedients  adopted  by  the  king — or,  it 


16  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

might  be  better  to  say,  by  his  favorites,  the  inaction  and  indo- 
lence of  the  self-indulgent  but  kind-hearted  prince  being  prover- 
bial—with a  view  to  counteract  the  probable  consequences  of 
the  expected  accession  of  Isabella,  were  various  schemes  to 
control  her  will,  and  guide  her  policy,  by  giving  her  hand,  first 
to  a  subject,  with  a  view  to  reduce  her  power,  and  subsequently 
to  various  foreign  princes,  who  were  thought  to  be  more  or  less 
suited  to  the  furtherance  of  such  schemes.  Just  at  this  moment, 
indeed,  the  marriage  of  the  princess  was  one  of  the  greatest 
objects  of  Spanish  prudence.  The  son  of  the  King  of  Aragon 
was  one  of  the  suitors  for  the  hand  of  Isabella,  and  most  of 
those  who  heard  of  the  intended  departure  of  the  embassy,  nat- 
urally enough  believed  that  the  mission  had  some  connection 
with  that  great  stroke  of  Aragonese  policy. 

Isabella  had  the  reputation  of  learning,  modesty,  discretion, 
piety,  and  beauty,  besides  being  the  acknowledged  heiress  of  so 
enviable  a  crown ;  and  there  were  many  competitors  for  her 
hand.  Among  them  were  to  be  ranked.  French,  English,  and 
Portuguese  princes,  besides  him  of  Aragon  to  whom  we  have 
already  alluded.  Different  favorites  supported  different  pre- 
tenders, struggling  to  effect  their  several  purposes  by  the  usual 
intrigues  of  courtiers  and  partisans ;  while  the  royal  maiden, 
herself,  who  was  the  object  of  so  much  competition  and  rivalry, 
observed  a  discreet  and  womanly  decorum,  even  while  firmly 
bent  on  indulging  her  most  womanly  and  dearest  sentiments. 
Her  brother,  the  king,  was  in  the  south,  pursuing  his  pleasures, 
and,  long  accustomed  to  dwell  in  comparative  solitude,  the 
princess  was  earnestly  occupied  in  arranging  her  own  affairs,  in 
a  way  that  she  believed  would  most  conduce  to  her  own  happi- 
ness. After  several  attempts  to  entrap  her  person,  from  which 
she  had  only  escaped  by  the  prompt  succor  of  the  forces  of  her 
friends,  she  had  taken  refuge  in  Leon,  in  the  capital  of  which 
province,  or  kingdom  as  it  was  sometimes  called,  Valladolid, 
she  temporarily  took  up  her  abode.  As  Henry,  however,  still 
remained  in  the  vicinity  of  Granada,  it  is  in  that  direction  we 
must  look  for  the  route  taken  by  the  embassy. 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  17 

The' cortege  left  Saragossa,  by  one  of  tlie  southern  gates, 
early  in  the  morning  of  a  glorious  autumnal  day.  There  was 
the  usual  escort  of  lances,  for  this  the  troubled  state  of  the 
country  demanded  ;  bearded  nobles  well  mailed — for  few,  who 
offered  an  inducement  to  the  plunderer,  ventured  on  the  high- 
way without  this  precaution  ;  a  long  train  of  sumpter  mules, 
and  a  host  of  those  who,  by  their  guise,  were  half  menials  and 
half  soldiers.  The  gallant  display  drew  crowds  after  the  horses' 
heels,  and,  together  with  some  prayers  for  success,  a  vast  deal 
of  crude  and  shallow  conjecture,  as  is  still  the  practice  with 
the  uninstructed  and  gossiping,  was  lavished  on  the  probable 
objects  and  results  of  the  journey.  But  curiosity  has  its  limits, 
and  even  the  gossip  occasionally  grows  weary ;  and  by  the  time 
the  sun  was  setting,  most  of  the  multitude  had  already  forgotten 
to  think  and  speak  of  the  parade  of  the  morning.  As  the  night 
drew  on,  however,  the  late  pageant  was  still  the  subject  of  dis- 
course between  two  soldiers,  who  belonged  to  the  guard  of  the 
western  gate,  or  that  which  opened  on  the  road  to  the  province 
of  Burgos.  These  worthies  were  loitering  away  the  hours,  in 
the  listless  manner  common  to  men  on  watch,  and  the  spirit  of 
discussion  and  of  critical  censure  had  survived  the  thoughts  and 
bustle  of  the  day. 

"If  Don  Alonso  de  Carbajal  thinketh  to  ride  far  in  that 
guise,"  observed  the  elder  of  the  two  idlers,  "  he  would  do 
wrell  to  look  sharp  to  his  followers,  for  the  army  of  Aragor. 
never  sent  forth  a  more  scurvily-appointed  guard  than  that  he 
hath  this  day  led  through  the  southern  gate,  notwithstanding 
the  glitter  of  housings,  and  the  clangor  of  trumpets.  We 
could  have  furnished  lances  from  Valencia  more  befitting  a 
king's  embassy,  I  tell  thee,  Diego  ;  ay,  and  worthier  knights  to 
lead  them,  than  these  of  Aragon.  But  if  the  king  is  content,  it 
ill  becomes  soldiers,  like  thee  and  me,  to  be  dissatisfied." 

"  There  are  many  who  think,  Eoderique,  that  it  had  been 
better  to  spare  the  money  lavished  in  this  courtly  letter- writing, 
to  pay  the  brave  men  who  so  freely  shed  their  blood  in  order 
to  subdue  the  rebellious  Barcelans." 


18  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

"  This  is  always  the  way,  boy,  between  debtor  and  creditor. 
Don  John  owes  you  a  few  maravedis,  and  you  grudge  him 
every  Enrique  he  spends  on  his  necessities.  I  am  an  older 
soldier,  and  have  learned  the  art  of  paying  myself,  when  the 
treasury  is  too  poor  to  save  me  the  trouble." 

"That  might  do  in  a  foreign  war,  when  one  is  battling 
against  the  Moor,  for  instance  ;  but,  after  all,  these  Catalans  are 
as  good  Christians  as  we  are  ourselves ;  some  of  them  are  as 
good  subjects;  and  it  is  not  as  easy  to  plunder  a  countryman  as 
to  plunder  an  Infidel." 

"  Easier  by  twenty  fold  ;  for  the  one  expects  it,  and,  like  all 
in  that  unhappy  condition,  seldom  has  any  thing  worth  taking, 
while  the  other  opens  his  stores  to  you  as  freely  as  he  does  his 
heart — but  who  are  these,  setting  forth  on  the  highway,  at  this 
late  hour?" 

"  Fellows  that  pretend  to  wealth,  by  affecting  to  conceal  it. 
I'll  warrant  you,  now,  Eoderique,  that  there  is  not  money 
enough  among  all  those  varlets  to  pay  the  laquais  that  shall 
serve  them  their  boiled  eggs,  to-night." 

"  By  St.  Iago,  my  blessed  patron  !"  whispered  one  of  the 
leaders  of  a  small  cavalcade,  who,  with  a  single  companion,  rode 
a  little  in  advance  of  the  others,  as  if  not  particularly  anxious  to 
be  too  familiar  with  the  rest,  and  laughing,  lightly,  as  he  spoke : 
"  Yonder  vagabond  is  nearer  the  truth  than  is  comfortable! 
We  may  have  sufficient  among  us  all  to  pay  for  an  olla-podrida 
and  its  service,  but  I  much  doubt  whether  there  will  be  a  dobla 
left,  when  the  journey  shall  be  once  ended." 

A  low,  but  grave  rebuke,  checked  this  inconsiderate  mirth ; 
and  the  party,  which  consisted  of  merchants,  or  traders,  mount- 
ed on  mules,  as  was  evident  by  their  appearance,  for  in  that  age 
the  different  classes  were  easily  recognized  by  their  attire,  halted 
at  the  gate.  The  permission  to  quit  the  town  was  regular,  and 
the  drowsy  and  consequently  surly  gate-keeper  slowly  undid  his 
bars,  in  order  that  the  travellers  might  pass. 

While  these  necessary  movements  were  going  on,  the  two 
soldiers   stood  a  little  on  one  side,  coolly  scanning  the  group, 


MERCEDES      OF      CA.STILE.  19 

though  Spanish  gravity  prevented  them  from  indulging  openly 
in  an  expression  of  the  scorn  that  they  actually  felt  for  two  or 
three  Jews  who  were  among  the  traders.  The  merchants, 
moreover,  were  of  a  better  class,  as  was  evident  by  a  follower  or 
two,  who  rode  in  their  train,  in  the  garbs  of  menials,  and  who 
kept  at  a  respectful  distance  while  their  masters  paid  the  light 
fee  that  it  was  customary  to  give  on  passing  the  gates  after 
night-fall.  One  of  these  menials,  capitally  mounted  on  a  tall, 
spirited  mule,  happened  to  place  himself  so  near  Diego,  during 
this  little  ceremony,  that  the  latter,  who  was  talkative  by  nature, 
could  not  refrain  from  having  his  say. 

"Prithee,  Pepe,"  commenced  the  soldier,  "  how  many  hun- 
dred doblas  a  year  do  they  pay,  in  that  service  of  thine,  and 
how  often  do  they  renew  that  fine  leathern  doublet  ?" 

The  varlct,  or  follower  of  the  merchant,  who  was  still  a 
youth,  though  his  vigorous  frame  and  embrowned  cheek  de- 
noted equally  severe  exercise  and  rude  exposure,  started  and 
reddened  at  this  free  inquiry,  which  was  enforced  by  a  hand 
slapped  familiarly  on  his  knee,  and  such  a  squeeze  of  the  leg  as 
denoted  the  freedom  of  the  camp.  The  laugh  of  Diego  proba- 
bly suppressed  a  sudden  outbreak  of  anger,  for  the  soldier  was 
one  whose  manner  indicated  too  much  good-humor  easily  to 
excite  resentment. 

"  Thy  gripe  is  friendly,  but  somewhat  close,  comrade,"  the 
young  domestic  mildly  observed  ;  "  and  if  thou  wilt  take  a 
friend's  counsel,  it  will  be,  never  to  indulge  in  too  great  famili- 
arity, lest  some  day  it  lead  to  a  broken  pate." 

"  By  holy  San  Pedro  ! — I  should  relish — " 

It  was  too  late,  however  ;  for  his  master  having  proceeded, 
the  youth  pushed  a  powerful  rowel  into  the  flank  of  his  mule, 
and  the  vigorous  animal  dashed  ahead,  nearly  upsetting  Diego, 
who  was  pressing  hard  on  the  pommel  of  the  saddle,  by  the 
movement. 

"  There  is  mettle  in  that  boy,"  exclaimed  the  good-natured 
soldier,  as  he  recovered  his  feet.  "I  thought,  for  one  moment, 
he  was  about  to  favor  me  with  a  visitation  of  his  hand." 


20  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

M  Thou  art  wrong — and  too  much  accustomed  to  be  heedless, 
Diego,"  answered  his  comrade  ;  "and  it  had  been  no  wonder 
had  that  youth  struck  thee  to  the  earth,  for  the  indignity  thou 
putt'st  upon  him." 

"  Ha !  a  hireling  follower  of  some  cringing  Hebrew!  He 
dare  to  strike  a  blow  at  a  soldier  of  the  king  !" 

"  Tie  may  have  been  a  soldier  of  the  king  himself,  in  his 
day.  These  are  times  when  most  of  his  frame  and  muscle  are 
called  on  to  go  in  harness.  I  think  I  have  seen  that  face  be- 
fore ;  ay,  and  that,  too,  where  none  of  craven  hearts  would  be 
apt  to  go." 

"  The  fellow  is  a  mere  varlet,  and  a  younker  that  has  just 
escaped  from  the  hands  of  the  women." 

"  I'll  answer  for  it,  that  he  hath  faced  both  the  Catalan  and 
the  Moor  in  his  time,  young  as  he  may  seem.  Thou  knowest 
that  the  nobles  are  wont  to  carry  their  sons,  as  children, 
early  into  the  fight,  that  they  may  learn  the  deeds  of  chivalry 
betimes." 

"  The  nobles!"  repeated  Diego,  laughing.  "In  the  name 
of  all  the  devils,  Roderique,  of  what  art  thou  thinking,  that 
thou  likenest  this  knave  to  a  young  noble  ?  Dost  fancy  him  a 
Guzman,  or  a  Mendoza,  in  disguise,  that  thou  speakest  thus  of 
chivalry  ?" 

"  True — it  doth,  indeed,  seem  silly — and  yet  have  I  before 
met  that  frown  in  battle,  and  heard  that  sharp,  quick  voice,  in 
a  rally.  By  St.  Iago  de  Compostello  !  I  have  it !  Harkee, 
Diego  ! — a  word  in  thy  ear." 

The  veteran  now  led  his  more  youthful  comrade  aside,  al- 
though there  was  no  one  near  to  listen  to  what  he  said ;  and 
looking  carefully  round,  to  make  certain  that  his  words  would 
not  be  overheard,  he  whispered,  for  a  moment,  in  Diego's 
ear. 

"Holy  Mother  of  God!"  exclaimed  the  latter,  recoiling 
quite  three  paces,  in  surprise  and  awe.  "  Thou  canst  not  be 
right,  Roderique  !" 

"  I  will  place  my  soul's  welfare  on  it,"  returned  the  other, 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  21 

positively.  ."  Have  I  not  often  seen  him  with  his  visor  up,  and 
followed  him,  time  and  again,  to  the  charge?" 

"And  he  setting  forth  as  a  trader's  varlet!  Nay,  I  know- 
not,  but  as  the  servitor  of  a  Jew !" 

"  Our  business,  Diego,  is  to  strike  without  looking  into  the 
quarrel ;  to  look  without  seeing,  and  to  listen  without  hear- 
ing. Although  his  coffers  are  low,  Don  John  is  a  good  master, 
and  our  anointed  king ;  and  so  we  will  prove  ourselves  discreet 
soldiers." 

"  But  he  will  never  forgive  me  that  gripe  of  the  knee,  and 
my  foolish  tongue.     I  shall  never  dare  meet  him  again." 

"  Humph  ! — It  is  not  probable  thou  ever  wilt  meet  him  at  the 
table  of  the  king,  and,  as  for  the  field,  as  he  is  wont  to  go  first, 
there  will  not  be  much  temptation  for  him  to  turn  back  in  order 
to  look  at  thee.' ' 

"Thou  thinkest,  then,  he  will  not  be  apt  to  know  me 
again  ?" 

"If  it  should  prove  so,  boy,  thou  need'st  not  take  it  in  ill 
part ;  as  such  as  he  have  more  demands  on  their  memories  than 
they  can  always  meet." 

"  The  Blessed  Maria  make  thee  a  true  prophet ! — else  would 
I  never  dare  again  to  appear  in  the  ranks.  Were  it  a  favor  I 
conferred,  I  might  hope  it  would  be  forgotten  ;  but  an  indignity 
sticks  long  in  the  memory." 

Here  the  two  soldiers  moved  away,  continuing  the  discourse 
from  time  to  time,  although  the  elder  frequently  admonished 
his  loquacious  companion  of  the  virtue  of  discretion. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  travellers  pursued  their  way,  with  a 
diligence  that  denoted  great  distrust  of  the  roads,  and  as  great 
a  desire  to  get  on.  They  journeyed  throughout  the  night,  nor 
did  there  occur  any  relaxation  in  their  speed,  until  the  return 
of  the  sun  exposed  them  again  to  the  observations  of  the 
curious,  among  whom  were  thought  to  be  many  emissaries  of 
Henry  of  Castile,  whose  agents  were  known  to  be  particularly 
on  the  alert,  along  all  the  roads  that  communicated  between  the 
capital  of  Aragon  and  Yalladolid,  the  city  in  which  his  royal 


22  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

sister  had  then,  quite  recently,  taken  refuge.  Nothing  remark- 
able occurred,  however,  to  distinguish  this  journey  from  any 
other  of  the  period.  There  was  nothing  about  the  appearance 
of  the  travellers — who  soon  entered  the  territory  of  Soria,  a  pro- 
vince of  Old  Castile,  where  armed  parties  of  the  monarch  were 
active  in  watching  the  passes— to  attract  the  attention  of  Henry's 
soldiers  ;  and  as  for  the  more  vulgar  robber,  he  was  temporarily 
driven  from  the  highways  by  the  presence  of  those  who  acted 
in  the  name  of  the  prince.  As  respects  the  youth  who  had 
given  rise  to  the  discourse  between  the  two  soldiers,  he  rode 
diligently  in  the  rear  of  his  master,  so  long  as  it  pleased  the 
latter  to  remain  in  the  saddle:  and  during  the  few  and  brief 
pauses  that  occurred  in  the  travelling,  he  busied  himself,  like 
the  other  menials,  in  the  duties  of  his  proper  vocation.  On  the 
evening  of  the  second  day,  however,  about  an  hour  after  the 
party  had  left  a  hostelry,  where  it  had  solaced  itself  with  an 
olla-podrida  and  some  sour  wine,  the  merry  young  man  who 
has  already  been  mentioned,  and  who  still  kept  his  place  by  the 
side  of  his  graver  and  more  aged  companion  in  the  van,  sud- 
denly burst  into  a  fit  of  loud  laughter,  and,  reining  in  his  mule 
he  allowed  the  whole  train  to  pass  him,  until  he  found  himself 
by  the  side  of  the  young  menial  already  so  particularly  named. 
The  latter  cast  a  severe  and  rebuking  glance  at  his  reputed 
master,  as  he  dropped  in  by  his  side,  and  said,  with  a  sternness 
that  ill  comported  with  their  apparent  relations  to  each  other — 

"  How  now,  Master  Nunez  !  what  hath  called  thee  from  thy 
position  in  the  van,  to  this  unseemly  familiarity  with  the  varlets 
in  the  rear  ?" 

"  I  crave  ten  thousand  pardons,  honest  Juan,"  returned  the 
master,  still  laughing,  though  he  evidently  struggled  to  repress 
his  mirth,  out  of  respect  to  the  other ;  "  but  here  is  a  calamity 
befallen  us,  that  outdoes  those  of  the  fables  and  legends  of  ne- 
cromancy and  knight-errantry.  The  worthy  Master  Ferreras, 
yonder,  who  is  so  skilful  in  handling  gold,  having  passed  his 
whole  life  in  buying  and  selling  barley  and  oats,  hath  actually 
mislaid  the  purse,  which  it  would  seem  he  hath  forgotten  at  the 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  23 

inn  we  have  quitted,  in  payment  of  some  very  stale  bread  and 
rancid  oil.  I  doubt  if  there  are  twenty  reals  left  in  the  whole 
party !" 

"  And  is  it  a  matter  of  jest,  Master  Nunez,"  returned  the  ser- 
vant, though  a  slight  smile  struggled  about  his  mouth,  as  if 
ready  to  join  in  his  companion's  merriment ;  "  that  we  are 
penniless  ?  Thank  Heaven  !  the  Burgo  of  Osma  cannot  be  very 
distant ;  and  we  may  have  less  occasion  for  gold.  And  now, 
master  of  mine,  let  me  command  thee  to  keep  thy  proper  place 
in  this  cavalcade,  and  not  to  forget  thyself  by  such  undue  famil- 
iarity with  thy  inferiors.  I  have  no  farther  need  of  thee,  and 
therefore  hasten  back  to  Master  Ferreras  and  acquaint  him  with 
my  sympathy  and  grief." 

The  young  man  smiled,  though  the  eye  of  the  pretended 
servant  was  averted,  as  if  he  cared  to  respect  his  own  admoni- 
tions ;  while  the  other  evidently  sought  a  look  of  recognition 
and  favor.  In  another  minute,  the  usual  order  of  the  journey 
was  resumed. 

As  the  night  advanced,  and  the  hour  arrived  when  man  and 
beast  usually  betray  fatigue,  these  travellers  pushed  their  mules 
the  hardest ;  and  about  midnight,  by  dint  of  hard  pricking, 
they  came  under  the  principal  gate  of  a  small  walled  town, 
called  Osma,  that  stood  not  far  from  the  boundary  of  the  prov- 
ince of  Burgos,  though  still  in  that  of  Soria.  No  sooner  was 
his  mule  near  enough  to  the  gate  to  allow  of  the  freedom,  than 
the  young  merchant  in  advance  dealt  sundry  blows  on  it  with 
his  staff,  effectually  apprising  those  within  of  his  presence.  It 
required  no  strong  pull  of  the  reins  to  stop  the  mules  of  those 
behind  ;  but  the  pretended  varlet  now  pushed  ahead,  and  was 
about  to  assume  his  place  among  the  principal  personages  near 
the  gate,  when  a  heavy  stone,  hurled  from  the  battlements, 
passed  so  close  to  his  head,  as  vividly  to  remind  him  how  near 
he  might  be  to  making  a  hasty  journey  to  another  world.  A 
cry  arose  in  the  whole  party,  at  this  narrow  escape ;  nor  were 
loud  imprecations  on  the  hand  that  had  cast  the  missile  spared. 
The  youth,  himself,  seemed  the  least  disturbed  of  them  all ;  and 


24  MERCEDES      OF-     CASTILE. 

tliougli  liis  voice  was  sharp  and  authoritative,  as  lie  raised  it  ia 
remonstrance,  it  was  neither  angry  nor  alarmed. 

"  How  now  !"  he  said ;  "  is  this  the  way  you  treat  peaceful 
travellers ;  merchants,  who  come  to  ask  hospitality  and  a  night's 
repose  at  your  hands  ?" 

"Merchants  and  travellers!"  growled  a  voice  from  above 
— "say,  rather,  spies  and  agents  of  King  Henry.  Who  are 
ye?  Speak  promptly,  or  ye  may  expect  something  sharper 
than  stones,  at  the  next  visit." 

"  Tell  me,"  answered  the  youth,  as  if  disdaining  to  be  ques- 
tioned himself — "  who  holds  this  borough?  Is  it  not  the  noble 
Count  of  Trevino  V 

"  The  very  same,  Senor,"  answered  he  above,  with  a  mollified 
tone:  "but  what  can  a  set  of  travelling  traders  know  of  His 
Excellency  ?  and  who  art  thou,  that  speakest  up  as  sharply  and 
as  proudly  as  if  thou  wert  a  grandee  ?" 

"  I  am  Ferdinand  of  Trastamara — the  Prince  of  Aragon — the 
King  of  Sicily.     Go  !  bid  thy  master  hasten  to  the  gate." 

This  sudden  announcement,  which  was  made  in  the  lofty 
manner  of  one  accustomed  to  implicit  obedience,  produced  a 
marked  change  in  the  state  of  affairs.  The  party  at  the  gate 
so  far  altered  their  several  positions,  that  the  two  superior  no- 
bles who  had  ridden  in  front,  gave  place  to  the  youthful  king  ; 
while  the  group  of  knights  made  such  arrangements  as  showed 
that  disguise  was  dropped,  and  each  man  was  now  expected  to 
appear  in  his  proper  character.  It  might  have  amused  a  close 
and  philosophical  observer  to  note  the  promptitude  with  whi3h 
the  young  cavaliers,  in  particular,  rose  in  their  saddles,  as  if 
casting  aside  the  lounging  mien  of  grovelling  traders,  in  order 
to  appear  what  they  really  were,  men  accustomed  to  the  tour- 
ney and  the  field.  On  the  ramparts  the  change  was  equally 
sudden  and  great.  All  appearance  of  drowsiness  vanished  ;  the 
soldiers  spoke  to  each  other  in  suppressed  but  hurried  voices ; 
and  the  distant  tramp  of  feet  announced  that  messengers  were 
dispatched  in  various  directions.  Some  ten  minutes  elapsed  in 
this  manner,  during  which  an  inferior  officer  showed  himself  on 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  25 

the  ramparts,  and  apologized  for  a  delay  that  arose  altogether 
from  the  force  of  discipline,  and  on  no  account  from  any  want 
of  respect.  At  length  a  bustle  on  the  wall,  with  the  light  of 
many  lanterns,  betrayed  the  approach  of  the  governor  of  the 
town ;  and  the  impatience  of  the  young  men  below,  that  had 
begun  to  manifest  itself  in  half-uttered  execrations,  was  put 
under  a  more  decent  restraint  for  the  occasion. 

" Are  the  joyful  tidings  that  my  people  bring  me  true?" 
cried  one  from  the  battlements ;  while  a  lantern  was  lowered 
from  the  wall,  as  if  to  make  a  closer  inspection  of  the  party  at 
the  gate:  "Am  I  really  so  honored,  as  to  receive  a  summons 
from  Don  Ferdinand  of  Aragon,  at  this  unusual  hour  ?" 

"  Cause  thy  fellow  to  turn  his  lantern  more  closely  on  my 
countenance,"  answered  the  king,  "that  thou  may'st  make 
thyself  sure.  I  will  cheerfully  overlook  the  disrespect,  Count 
of  Treviiio,  for  the  advantage  of  a  more  speedy  admission/' 

""lis  he!"  exclaimed  the  noble:  "  I  know  those  royal  fea- 
tures, which  bear  the  lineaments  of  a  long  race  of  kings,  and 
that  voice  have  I  heard,  often,  rallying  the  squadrons  of  Ara- 
gon, in  their  onsets  against  the  Moor.  Let  the  trumpets  speak 
up,  and  proclaim  this  happy  arrival ;  and  open  wide  our  gates, 
without  delay." 

This  order  was  promptly  obeyed,  and  the  youthful  king  en- 
tered Osma,  by  sound  of  trumpet,  encircled  by  a  strong  party 
of  men-at-arms,  and  with  half  of  the  awakened  and  astonished 
population  at  his  heels. 

"  It  is  lucky,  my  Lord  King,"  said  Don  Andres  de  Cabrera, 
the  young  noble  already  mentioned,  as  he  rode  familiarly  at  the 
side  of  Don  Ferdinand,  "  that  wTe  have  found  these  good  lodg- 
ings without  cost;  it  being  a  melancholy  truth,  that  Master 
Ferreras  hath,  negligently  enough,  mislaid  the  only  purse  there 
was  among  us.  In  such  a  strait,  it  would  not  have  been  easy 
to  keep  up  the  character  of  thrifty  traders  much  longer ;  for, 
while  the  knaves  higgle  at  the  price  of  every  thing,  they  are 
fond  of  letting  their  gold  be  seen." 

"Now  that  we  are  in  thine  own  Castile,  Don  Andres,"  re- 


26  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

turned  the  king,  smiling,  "we  shall  throw  ourselves  gladly  on 
thy  hospitality,  well  knowing  that  thou  hast  two  most  beautiful 
diamonds  always  at  thy  command.", 

"  I,  Sir  King  !  Your  Highness  is  pleased  to  be  merry  at  my 
expense,  although  I  believe  it  is,  just  now,  the  only  gratification 
I  can  pay  for.  My  attachment  for  the  Princess  Isabella  hath 
driven  me  from  my  lands ;  and  even  the  humblest  cavalier  in 
the  Aragonese  army  is  not,  just  now,  poorer  than  I.  What 
diamonds,  therefore,  can  I  command  ?" 

"Keport  speaketh  favorably  of  the  two  brilliants  that  are  set 
in  the  face  of  the  Dona  Beatriz  de  Bobadilla ;  and  I  hear  they 
are  altogether  at  thy  disposal,  or  as  much  so  as  a  noble  maiden's 
inclinations  can  leave  them  with  a  loyal  knight." 

"  Ah  !  my  Lord  King  !  if  indeed  this  adventure  end  as  hap- 
pily as  it  commenceth,  I  may,  indeed,  look  to  your  royal  favor, 
for  some  aid  in  that  matter." 

The  king  smiled,  in  his  own  sedate  manner ;  but  the  Count 
de  Trevino  pressing  nearer  to  his  side  at  that  moment,  the  dis- 
course was  changed.  That  night  Ferdinand  of  Aragon  slept 
soundly ;  but  with  the  dawn,  he  and  his  followers  were  again 
in  the  saddle.  The  party  quitted  Osma,  however,  in  a  manner 
very  different  from  that  in  which  it  had  approached  its  gate. 
Ferdinand  now  appeared  as  a  knight,  mounted  on  a  noble  An- 
dalusian  charger ;  and  all  his  followers  had  still  more  openly 
assumed  their  proper  characters.  A  strong  body  of  lancers,  led 
by  the  Count  of  Trevino  in  person,  composed  the  escort ;  and 
on  the  9th  of  the  month,  the  whole  cavalcade  reached  Duenas, 
in  Leon,  a  place  quite  near  to  Valladolid.  The  disaffected  no- 
bles crowded  about  the  prince  to  pay  their  court,  and  he  was 
received  as  became  his  high  rank  and  still  higher  destinies. 

Here  the  more  luxurious  Castilians  had  an  opportunity  of  ob- 
serving the  severe  personal  discipline  by  which  Don  Ferdinand, 
at  the  immature  years  of  eighteen,  for  he  was  scarcely  older, 
had  succeeded  in  hardening  his  body  and  in  stringing  his  nerves, 
so  as  to  be  equal  to  any  deeds  in  arms.  His  delight  was  found 
in  the  rudest  military  exercises  ;  and  no  knight  of  Aragon  could 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  27 

better  direct  bis  steed  in  the  tourney  or  in  tbe  field.  Like  most 
of  tbe  royp1  races  of  tbat  period,  and  indeed  of  this,  in  despite 
of  tbe  burniiig  sun  under  wbich  be  dwelt,  bis  native  complexion 
was  brilliant,  though,  it  had  already  become  embrowned  by  ex- 
posure in  the  chase,  and  in  tbe  martial  occupations  of  his  boy- 
hood. Temperate  as  a  Mussulman,  his  active  and  well-propor- 
tioned frame  seemed  to  be  early  indurating,  as  if  Providence 
held  him  in  reserve  for  some  of  its  own  dispensations,  that 
called  for  great  bodily  vigor  as  well  as  for  deep  forethought  and 
a  vigilant  sagacity.  During  the  four  or  five  days  that  followed, 
the  noble  Castilians  who  listened  to  his  discourse,  knew  not  of 
which  most  to  approve,  his  fluent  eloquence,  or  a  wariness  of 
thought  and  expression,  which,  while  they  might  have  been 
deemed  prematurely  worldly  and  cold-blooded,  were  believed 
to  be  particular  merits  in  one  destined  to  control  the  jarring 
passions,  deep  deceptions,  and  selfish  devices  of  men. 


28  MKRCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 


CHAPTER  II. 

*' Leave  to  the  nightingale  her  shady  wood: 
A  privacy  of  glorious  light  is  thine ; 
Whence  thou  dost  pour  upon  the  world  a  flood 

Of  harmony,  with  rapture  more  divine ; 
Type  of  the  wise,  who  soar,  but  nevor  roam  ; 
True  to  the  kindred  points  of  Heaven  and  Home." 

WOKDSWOETH. 

While  John  of  Aragon  had  recourse  to  such  means  to  ena- 
ble his  son  to  escape  the  vigilant  and  vindictive  emissaries  of  the 
King  of  Castile,  there  were  anxious  hearts  in  Valladolid,  await- 
ing the  result  with  the  impatience  and  doubt  that  ever  attend 
the  execution  of  hazardous  enterprises.  Among  others  who 
felt  this  deep  interest  in  the  movements  of  Ferdinand  of  Ara- 
gon and  his  companions,  were  a  few  whom  it  has  now  become 
necessary  to  introduce  to  the  reader. 

Although  Valladolid  had  not  then  reached  the  magnificence 
it  subsequently  acquired  as  the  capital  of  Charles  V.,  it  was  an 
ancient,  and,  for  the  age,  a  magnificent  and  luxurious  town,  pos- 
sessing its  palaces,  as  well  as  its  more  inferior  abodes.  To  tho 
principal  of  the  former,  the  residence  of  John  de  Vivero — a  dis- 
tinguished noble  of  the  kingdom — we  must  repair  in  imagina- 
tion ;  where  companions  more  agreeable  than  those  we  have 
just  quitted,  await  us,  and  who  were  then  themselves  awaiting, 
with  deep  anxiety,  the  arrival  of  a  messenger  with  tidings  from 
Duenas.  The  particular  apartment  that  it  will  be  necessary  to 
imagine,  had  much  of  the  rude  splendor  of  the  period,  united 
to  that  air  of  comfort  and  fitness  that  woman  seldom  fails  to 
impart  to  the  portion  of  any  edifice  that  comes  directly  under 
her  control.  In  the  year  1469,  Spain  was  fast  approaching  the 
termination  of  that  great  struggle  which  had  already  endured 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  29 

seven  centuries,  and  in  which  the  Christian  and  the  Mussulman 
contended  for  the  mastery  of  the  peninsula.  The  latter  had  long 
held  sway  in  the  southern  parts  of  Leon,  and  had  left  behind 
him,  in  the  palaces  of  this  town,  some  of  the  traces  of  his  barbaric 
magnificence.  The  lofty  and  fretted  ceilings  were  not  as  glorious 
as  those  to  be  found  further  south,  it  is  true;  still,  the  Moor 
had  been  here,  and  the  name  of  Veled  Vlid — since  changed  to 
Valladolid — denotes  its  Arabic  connection.  In  the  room  just 
mentioned,  and  in  the  principal  palace  of  this  ancient  town — 
that  of  John  de  Vivero — were  two  females,  in  earnest  and  en- 
grossing discourse.  Both  were  young,  and,  though  in  very 
different  styles,  both  would  have  been  deemed  ,beautiftil  in 
any  age  or  region  of  the  earth.  One,  indeed,  was  surpass- 
ingly lovely.  She  had  just  reached  her  nineteenth  year — an 
age  when  the  female  form  has  received  its  full  development  in 
that  generous  climate ;  and  the  most  imaginative  poet  of  Spain 
— a  country  so  renowned  for  beauty  of  form  in  the  sex — could 
not  have  conceived  of  a  person  more  symmetrical.  The  hands, 
feet,  bust,  and  all  the  outlines,  were  those  of  feminine  loveliness ; 
while  the  stature,  without  rising  to  a  height  to  suggest  the  idea 
of  any  thing  masculine,  was  sufficient  to  ennoble  an  air  of  quiet 
dignity.  The  beholder,  at  first,  was  a  little  at  a  loss  to  know 
whether  the  influence  to  which  he  submitted,  proceeded  most 
from  the  perfection  of  the  body  itself,  or  from  the  expression 
that  the  soul  within  imparted  to  the  almost  faultless  exterior. 
The  face  was,  in  all  respects,  worthy  of  the  form.  Although 
born  beneath  the  sun  of  Spain,  her  Hneage  carried  her  back, 
through  a  long  line  of  kings,  to  the  Gothic  sovereigns  ;  and  its 
frequent  intermarriages  with  foreign  princesses,  had  produced 
in  her  countenance  that  intermixture  of  the  brilliancy  of  the 
north  with  the  witchery  of  the  south,  that  probably  is  nearest 
to  the  perfection  of  feminine  loveliness. 

Her  complexion  was  fair,  and  her  rich  locks  had  that  tint  of 

the  auburn  which  approaches  as  near  as  possible  to  the  more 

marked  color  that  gives  it  warmth,  without  attaining  any  of  the 

latter's  distinctive  hue.     "  Her  mild  blue  eyes?"  says  an  emi- 

2 


30  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

nent  historian,  "  beamed  with  intelligence  and  sensibility."  In 
these  indexes  to  the  soul,  indeed,  were  to  be  found  her  highest 
claims  to  loveliness,  for  they  bespoke  no  less  the  beauty  within, 
than  the  beauty  without;  imparting  to  features  of  exquisite 
delicacy  and  symmetry,  a  serene  expression  of  dignity  and  moral 
excellence,  that  was  remarkably  softened  by  a  modesty  that 
seemed  as  much  allied  to  the  sensibilities  of  a  woman,  as  to  the 
purity  of  an  angel.  To  add  to  all  these  charms,  though  of  royal 
blood,  and  educated  in  a  court,  an  earnest,  but  meek  sincerity 
presided  over  every  look  and  thought — as  thought  was  betrayed 
in  the  countenance — adding  the  illumination  of  truth  to  the 
lustre  of  youth  and  beauty. 

The  attire  of  this  princess  was  simple,  for,  happily,  the  taste 
of  the  age  enabled  those  who  worked  for  the  toilet  to  consult 
the  proportions  of  nature ;  though  the  materials  were  rich,  and 
such  as  became  her  high  rank.  A  single  cross  of  diamonds 
sparkled  on  a  neck  of  snow,  to  which  it  was  attached  by  a  short 
string  of  pearls ;  and  a  few  rings,  decked  with  stones  of  price, 
rather  cumbered  than  adorned  hands  that  needed  no  ornaments 
to  rivet  the  gaze.  Such  was  Isabella  of  Castile,  in  her  days  of 
maiden  retirement  and  maiden  pride — while  waiting  the  issues 
of  those  changes  that  were  about  to  put  their  seal  on  her  own 
future  fortunes,  as  well  as  on  those  of  posterity  even  to  our  own 
times. 

Her  companion  was  Beatriz  de  Bobadilla,  the  friend  of  her 
childhood  and  infancy,  and  who  continued,  to  the  last,  the 
friend  of  her  prime,  and  of  her  death-bed.  This  lady,  a  little 
older  than  the  princess,  was  of  more  decided  Spanish  mien,  for, 
though  of  an  ancient  and  illustrious  house,  policy  and  necessity 
had  not  caused  so  many  foreign  intermarriages  in  her  race,  as 
had  been  required  in  that  of  her  royal  mistress.  Her  eyes 
were  black  and  sparkling,  bespeaking  a  generous  soul,  and  a 
resolution  so  high  that  some  commentators  have  termed  it 
valor  ;  while  her  hair  was  dark  as  the  raven's  wing.  Like  that 
of  her  royal  mistress,  her  form  exhibited  the  grace  and  loveli- 
ness of  young  womanhood,  developed  by  the  generous  warmth 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  31 

of  Spam  ;  though  her  stature  was,  in  a  slight  degree,  less  no- 
ble, and  the  outlines  of  her  figure,  in  about  an  equal  propor- 
tion,  less  perfect.  In  short,  nature  had  drawn  some  such  dis- 
tinction between  the  exceeding  grace  and  high  moral  charms 
that  encircled  the  beauty  of  the  princess,  and  those  which  be- 
longed to  her  noble  friend,  as  the  notions  of  men  had  established 
between  their  respective  conditions ;  though,  considered  singly, 
as  women,  either  would  have  been  deemed  pre-eminently  win- 
ning and  attractive. 

At  the  moment  we  have  selected  for  the  opening  of  the  scene 
that  is  to  follow,  Isabella,  fresh  from  the  morning  toilet,  was 
seated  in  a  chair,  leaning  lightly  on  one  of  its  arms,  in  an  atti- 
tude that  interest  in  the  subject  she  was  discussing,  and  confid- 
ence in  her  companion,  had  naturally  produced  ;  while  Beatriz 
de  Bobadilla  occupied  a  low  stool  at  her  feet,  bending  her  body 
in  respectful  affection  so  far  forward,  as  to  allow  the  fairer  hair 
of  the  princess  to  mingle  with  her  own  dark  curls,  while  the 
face  of  the  latter  appeared  to  repose  on  the  head  of  her  friend. 
As  no  one  else  was  present,  the  reader  will  at  once  infer,  from 
the  entire  absence  of  Castilian  etiquette  and  Spanish  reserve, 
that  the  dialogue  they  held  was  strictly  confidential,  and  that 
it  was  governed  more  by  the  feelings  of  nature,  than  by  the 
artificial  rules  that  usually  regulate  the  intercourse  of  courts. 

"  I  have  prayed,  Beatriz,  that  God  would  direct  my  judgment 
in  this  weighty  concern,"  said  the  princess,  in  continuation 
of  some  previous  observation;  "and  I  hope  I  have  as  much 
kept  in  view  the  happiness  of  my  future  subjects,  in  the  choice 
I  have  made,  as  my  own." 

"  None  shall  presume  to  question  it,"  said  Beatriz  de  Boba- 
dilla; "for  had  it  pleased  you  to  wed  the  Grand  Turk,  the 
Castilians  would  not  gainsay  your  wish,  such  is  their  love  !" 

"  Say,  rather,  such  is  thy  love  for  me,  my  good  Beatriz,  that 
thou  fanciest  this,"  returned  Isabella,  smiling,  and  raising  her 
face  from  the  other's  head.  "Our  Castilians  might  overlook  such 
a  sin,  but  I  could  not  pardon  myself  for  forgetting  that  I  am  a 
Christian.     Beatriz,  I  have  been  sorely  tried,  in  this  matter  I" 


32  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

"  But  the  liour  of  trial  is  nearly  passed.  Holy  Maria  !  what 
lightness  of  reflection,  and  vanity,  and  misjudging  of  self,  must 
exist  in  man,  to  embolden  some  who  have  dared  to  aspire  to 
become  your  husband  !  You  were  yet  a  child  when  they  be- 
trothed you  to  Don  Carlos,  a  prince  old  enough  to  be  your 
father ;  and  then,  as  if  that  were  not  sufficient  to  warm  Castil- 
ian  blood,  they  chose  the  King  of  Portugal  for  you,  and  he  might 
well  have  passed  for  a  generation  still  more  remote  !  Much  as. 
I  love  you,  Dona  Isabella,  and  my  own  soul  is  scarce  dearer  to 
me  than  your  person  and  mind,  for  nought  do  I  respect  you 
more,  than  for  the  noble  and  princely  resolution,  child  as  you 
then  were,  with  which  you  denied  the  king,  in  his  wicked  wish 
to  make  you  Queen  of  Portugal." 

"Don  Enriquez  is  my  brother,  Beatriz  ;  and  thine  and  my 
royal  master." 

"Ah  !  bravely  did  you  tell  them  all,"  continued  Beatriz  de 
Bobadilla,  with  sparkling  eyes,  and  a  feeling  of  exultation  that 
caused  her  to  overlook  the  quiet  rebuke  of  her  mistress  ;  "  and 
worthy  was  it  of  a  princess  of  the  royal  house  of  Castile  ! 
*  The  Infantas  of  Castile,'  you  said,  i  could  not  be  disposed  of, 
in  marriage,  without  the  consent  of  the  nobles  of  the  realm  ;' 
and  with  that  fit  reply  they  were  glad  to  be  content." 

"  And  yet,  Beatriz,  am  I  about  to  dispose  of  an  Infanta  of 
Castile,  without  even  consulting  its  nobles." 

"  Say  not  that,  my  excellent  mistress.  There  is  not  a  loyal 
and  gallant  cavalier  between  the  Pyrenees  and  the  sea,  who  will 
not,  in  his  heart,  approve  of  your  choice.  The  character,  and 
age,  and  other  qualities  of  the  suitor,  make  a  sensible  difference 
in  these  concerns.  But  unfit  as  Don  Alfonso  of  Portugal  was, 
and  is,  to  be  the  wedded  husband  of  Dona  Isabella  of  Castile, 
what  shall  we  say  to  the  next  suitor  who  appeared  as  a  pretend- 
er to  your  royal  hand — Don  Pedro  Giron,  the  Master  of  Cala- 
trava  !  truly  a  most  worthy  lord  for  a  maiden  of  the  royal 
house  !  Out  upon  him  !  A  Pachecho  might  think  himself  full 
honorably  mated,  could  he  have  found  a  damsel  of  Bobadilla  to 
elevate  his  race !" 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  33 

"  That  ill-assorted  union  was  imposed  upon  my  brother  by 
unworthy  favorites ;  and  God,  in  his  holy  providence,  saw  fit  to 
defeat  their  wishes,  by  hurrying  their  intended  bridegroom  to  an 
unexpected  grave  !" 

"  Ay !  had  it  not  pleased  his  blessed  will  so  to  dispose  of 
Don  Pedro,  other  means  would  not  have  been  wanting  1" 

"  This  little  hand  of  thine,  Beatriz,"  returned  the  princess, 
gravely,  though  she  smiled  affectionately  on  her  friend  as  she 
took  the  hand  in  question,  "  was  not  made  for  the  deed  its 
owner  menaced." 

"That  which  its  owner  menaced,"  replied  Beatriz,  with  eyes 
flashing  fire,  "  this  hand  would  have  executed,  before  Isabella 
of  Castile  should  be  the  doomed  bride  of  the  Grand  Master  of 
Calatrava.  What !  was  the  purest,  loveliest  virgin  of  Castile, 
and  she  of  royal  birth — nay,  the  rightful  heiress  of  the  crown 
— to  be  sacrificed  to  a  lawless  libertine,  because  it  had  pleased 
Don  Henry  to  forget  his  station  and  duties,  and  mate  a  favorite 
of  a  craven  miscreant !" 

"Thou  always  forgettest,  Beatriz,  that  Don  Enriquez  is  our 
lord  the  king,  and  my  royal  brother." 

"  I  do  not  forget,  Senora,  that  you  are  the  royal  sister  of  our 
lord  the  king,  and  that  Pedro  de  Giron,  or  Pachecho,  which- 
ever it  might  suit  jthe  ancient  Portuguese  page  to  style  him, 
was  altogether  unworthy  to  sit  in  your  presence,  much  less  to 
become  your  wedded  husband.  Oh  !  what  days  of  anguish 
were  those,  my  gracious  lady,  when  your  knees  ached  with 
bending  in  prayer,  that  this  might  not  be !  But  God  would 
not  permit  it — neither  would  I!  That  dagger  should  have 
pierced  his  heart,  before  ear  of  his  should  have  heard  the  vows 
of  Isabella  of  Castile  !" 

"  Speak  no  more  of  this,  good  Beatriz,  I  pray  thee,"  said  the 
princess,  shuddering,  and  crossing  herself;  "they  were,  in 
sooth,  days  of  anguish  ;  but  what  were  they  in  comparison 
with  the  passion  of  the  Son  of  God,  who  gave  himself  a  sacri- 
fice for  our  sins  !  Name  it  not,  then  ;  it  was  good  for  my  soul 
to  be  thus  tried ;  and  thou  knowest  that  the  evil  was  turned 


34  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

from  me — more,  I  doubt  not,  by  the  efficacy  of  our  prayers, 
than  by  that  of  thy  dagger.  If  thou  wilt  speak  of  my  suitors, 
surely  there  are  others  better  worthy  of  the  trouble." 

A  light  gleamed  about  the  dark  eye  of  Beatriz,  and  a  smile 
struggled  toward  her  pretty  mouth  ;  for  well  did  she  understand 
that  the  royal,  but  bashful  maiden,  would  gladly  hear  some- 
thing of  him  on  whom  her  choice  had  finally  fallen.  Although 
ever  disposed  to  do  that  which  was  grateful  to  her  mistress, 
with  a  woman's  coquetry,  Beatriz  determined  to  approach  the 
more  pleasing  part  of  the  subject  coyly,  and  by  a  regular  grada- 
tion of  events,  in  the  order  in  which  they  had  actually  occurred. 

"  Then,  there  was  Monsieur  de  Guienne,  the  brother  of  King 
Louis  of  France,"  she  resumed,  affecting  contempt  in  her  man- 
ner ;  "  he  would  fain  become  the  husband  of  the  future  Queen 
of  Castile !  But  even  our  most  unworthy  Castilians  soon  saw 
the  unfitness  of  that  union.  Their  pride  was  unwilling  to  run 
the  chance  of  becoming  a  fief  of  France.'' 

i l  That  misfortune  could  never  have  befallen  our  beloved 
Castile,"  interrupted  Isabella  with  dignity;  "had  I  espoused 
the  King  of  France  himself,  he  would  have  learned  to  respect 
me  as  the  Queen  Proprietor  of  this  ancient  realm,  and  not  have 
looked  upon  me  as  a  subject." 

"  Then,  Senora,"  continued  Beatriz,  looking  up  into  Isa- 
bella's face,  and  laughing — ■"  was  your  own  royal  kinsman, 
Don  Ricardo  of  Gloucester ;  he  that  they  say  was  born  with 
teeth,  and  who  carries  already  a  burthen  so  heavy  on  his  back, 
that  he  may  well  thank  his  patron  saint  that  he  is  not  also  to 
be  loaded  with  the  affairs  of  Castile."* 

"Thy  tongue  runneth  riot,  Beatriz.  They  tell  me  that  Don 
Ricardo  is  a  noble  and  aspiring  prince ;  that  he  is,  one  day, 
likely  to  wed  some  princess,  whose  merit  may  well  console  him 
for  his  failure  in  Castile.  But  what  more  hast  thou  to  offer 
concerning  my  suitors  ?" 

*  Note. — The  authorities  differ  as  to  which  of  the  English  princes  was  the  suitor  of 
Isabella;  Edward  IV.  himself,  Clarence,  or  Richard.  Isabella  was  the  grand-daughter 
of  Catherine  of  Lancaster,  who  was  a  daughter  of  John  of  Gaunt. 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  35 

"  Nay,  what  more  can  I  say,  my  beloved  mistress  ?  We  have 
now  reached  Don  Fernando,  literally  the  first,  as  he  proveth  to 
be  the  last,  and  as  we  know  him  to  be,  the  best  of  them  all." 

"  I  think  I  have  been  guided  by  the  motives  that  become  my 
birth  and  future  hopes,  in  choosing  Don  Ferdinand,"  said  Isa- 
bella, meekly,  though  she  was  uneasy  in  spite  of  her  royal 
views  of  matrimony;  " since  nothing  can  so  much  tend  to  the 
peace  of  our  dear  kingdom,  and  to  the  success  of  the  great  cause 
of  Christianity,  as  to  unite  Castile  and  Aragon  under  one  crown." 

"By  uniting  their  sovereigns  in  holy  wedlock,"  returned 
Beatriz,  with  respectful  gravity,  though  a  smile  again  struggled 
around  her  pouting  lips.  "  What  if  Don  Fernando  is  the  most 
youthful,  the  handsomest,  the  most  valiant,  and  the  most  agree- 
able prince  in  Christendom,  it  is  no  fault  of  yours,  since  you 
did  not  make  him,  but  have  only  accepted  him  for  a  husband  !" 

"  Nay,  this  exceedeth  discretion  and  respect,  my  good 
Beatriz,"  returned  Isabella,  affecting  to  frown,  even  while  she 
blushed  deeply  at  her  own  emotions,  and  looked  gratified  at  the 
praises  of  her  betrothed.  "  Thou  knowest  that  I  have  never 
beheld  my  cousin,  the  King  of  Sicily." 

"Very  true,  Sefiora;  but  Father  Alonso  de  Coca  hath — and 
a  surer  eye,  or  truer  tongue  than  his,  do  not  exist  in  Castile." 

"  Beatriz,  I  pardon  thy  license,  however  unjust  and  unseem- 
ly, because  I  know  thou  lovest  me,  and  lookest  rather  at  mine 
own  happiness,  than  at  that  of  my  people,"  said  the  princess, 
the  effect  of  whose  gravity  now  was  not  diminished  by  any  be- 
trayal of  natural  feminine  weakness — for  she  felt  slightly  offend- 
ed. "Thou  knowest,  or  ought' st  to  know,  that  a  maiden  of 
royal  birth  is  bound  principally  to  consult  the  interests  of  the 
state,  in  bestowing  her  hand,  and  that  the  idle  fancies  of  village 
girls  have  little  in  common  with  her  duties.  Nay,  what  virgin 
of  noble  extraction,  like  thyself,  even,  would  dream  of  aught 
else  than  of  submitting  to  the  counsel  of  her  family,  in 
taking  a  husband  ?  If  I  have  selected  Don  Fernando  of  Ara- 
gon, from  among  many  princes,  it  is,  doubtless,  because  the 
alliance  is  more  suited  to  the  interests  of  Castile,  than  any  other 


30  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

that  hath,  offered.  Thou  seest,  Beatriz,  that  the  Castilians  and 
the  Aragonese  spring  from  the  same  source,  and  have  the  same 
habits  and  prejudices.     They  speak  the  same  language" — 

"  Nay,  dearest  lady,  do  not  confound  the  pure  Castilian  with 
the  dialect  of  the  mountains  !" 

"  Well,  have  thy  fling,  wayward  one,  if  thou  wilt;  but  we 
can  easier  teach  the  nobles  of  Aragon  our  purer  Spanish,  than 
we  can  teach  it  to  the  Gaul.  Then,  Don  Fernando  is  of  my 
own  race ;  the  House  of  Trastamara  cometh  of  Castile  and  her 
monarchs,  and  we  may  at  least  hope  that  the  King  of  Sicily 
will  be  able  to  make  himself  understood." 

"  If  he  could  not,  he  were  no  true  knight  !  The  man  whose 
tongue  should  fail  him,  when  the  stake  was  a  royal  maiden  of 
a  beauty  surpassing  that  of  the  dawn — of  an  excellence  that 
already  touches  on  heaven — of  a  crown" — 

"  Girl,  girl,  thy  tongue  is  getting  the  mastery  of  thee — such 
discourse  ill  befitteth  thee  and  me." 

"  And  yet,  Dona  Ysabel,  my  tongue  is  close  bound  to  ray 
heart." 

"I  do  believe  thee,  my  good  Beatriz  ;  but  we  should  bethink 
us  both  of  our  last  strivings,  and  of  the  ghostly  counsel  that 
we  then  received.  Such  flattering  discourse  seemeth  light, 
when  we  remember  our  manifold  transgressions,  and  our  many 
occasions  for  forgiveness.  As  for  this  marriage,  I  would  have 
thee  think  that  it  has  been  contracted  on  my  part,  with  the 
considerations  and  motives  of  a  princess,  and  not  through  any 
light  indulgence  of  my  fancies.  Thou  knowest  that  I  have 
never  beheld  Don  Fernando,  and  that  he  hath  never  even  look- 
ed upon  me." 

"  Assuredly,  dearest  lady  and  honored  mistress,  all  this  I 
know,  and  see,  and  believe  ;  and  I  also  agree  that  it  were  un- 
seemly and  little  befitting  her  birth,  for  even  a  noble  maiden  to 
contract  the  all-important  obligations  of  marriage,  with  no  bet- 
ter motive  than  the  light  impulses  of  a  country  wench.  Noth- 
ing is  more  just  than  that  we  are  alike  bound  to  consult  our  own 
dignity,    and  the  wishes    of  kinsmen  and   friends ;    and   that 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  37 

our  duty,  and  the  habits  of  piety  and  submission  in  which  we 
have  been  reared,  are  better  pledges  for  our  connubial  affection 
than  any  caprices  of  a  girlish  imagination.  Still,  my  honored 
lady,  it  is  most  fortunate  that  your  high  obligations  point  to  one 
as  youthful,  brave,  noble,  and  chivalrous,  as  is  the  King  of  Sicily, 
as  we  well  know,  by  Father  Alonso's  representations,  to  be  the 
fact ;  and  that  all  my  friends  unite  in  saying  that  Don  Andres 
de  Cabrera,  madcap  and  silly  as  he  is,  will  make  an  exceedingly 
excellent  husband  for  Beatriz  de  Bobadilla  !" 

Isabella,  habitually  dignified  and  reserved  as  she  was,  had 
her  confidants  and  her  moments  for  unbending ;  and  Beatriz 
was  the  principal  among  the  former,  while  the  present  instant 
was  one  of  the  latter.  She  smiled,  therefore,  at  this  sally ;  and 
parting,  with  her  own  fair  hand,  the  dark  locks  on  the  brow  of 
her  friend,  she  regarded  her  much  as  the  mother  regards  her 
child,  when  sudden  passages  of  tendernesss  come  over  the 
heart. 

"If  madcap  should  wed  madcap,  thy  friends,  at  least,  have 
judged  rightly,"  answered  the  princess.  Then,  pausing  an  in- 
stant, as  if  in  deep  thought,  she  continued  in  a  graver  manner, 
though  modesty  shone  in  her  tell-tale  complexion,  and  the  sen- 
sibility that  beamed  in  her  eyes  betrayed  that  she  now  felt  more 
as  a  woman  than  as  a  future  queen  bent  only  on  the  happiness 
of  her  people:  "As  this  interview  draweth  near,  I  suffer  an 
embarrassment  I  had  not  thought  it  easy  to  inflict  on  an  Infanta 
of  Castile.  To  thee,  my  faithful  Beatriz,  I  will  acknowledge, 
that  were  the  King  of  Sicily  as  old  as  Don  Alfonso  of  Portugal, 
or  were  he  as  effeminate  and  unmanly  as  Monsieur  of  Guienne ; 
were  he,  in  sooth,  less  engaging  and  young,  I  should  feel  less 
embarrassment  in  meeting  him,  than  I  now  experience." 

"This  is  passing  strange,  Senora !  Now,  I  will  confess  that 
I  would  not  willingly  abate  in  Don  Andres,  one  hour  of  his  life, 
which  has  been  sufficiently  long  as  it  is ;  one  grace  of  his  per- 
son, if  indeed  the  honest  cavalier  hath  any  to  boast  of;  or  one 
single  perfection  of  either  body  or  mind." 

"Thy  case  is  not  mine,  Beatriz.     Thou  knowest  the  Marquis 


38  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

of  Moya ;  hast  listened  to  his  discourse,  and  art  accustomed  to 
bis  praises  and  his  admiration. " 

"Holy  St.  lago  of  Spain  !  Do  not  distrust  any  thing,  Seno- 
ra,  on  account  of  unfamiliarity  with  such  matters — for,  of  all 
learning,  it  is  easiest  to  learn  to  relish  praise  and  admiration  1" 

"True,  daughter" — (for  so  Isabella  often  termed  her  friend, 
though  her  junior :  in  later  life,  and  after  the  princess  had  be- 
come a  queen,  this,  indeed,  was  her  usual  term  of  endearment) 
— "true,  daughter,  when  praise  and  admiration  are  freely  given 
and  fairly  merited.  But  I  distrust,  myself,  my  claims  to  be  thus 
viewed,  and  the  feelings  with  which  Don  Fernando  may  first 
behold  me.  I  know — nay,  I  feel  him  to  be  graceful,  and  noble, 
and  valiant,  and  generous,  and  good ;  comely  to  the  eye,  and 
strict  of  duty  to  our  holy  religion ;  as  illustrious  in  qualities  as 
in  birth ;  and  I  tremble  to  think  of  my  own  unsuitableness  to 
be  his  bride  and  queen." 

"God's  Justice  ! — I  should  like  to  meet  the  impudent  Ara- 
gonese  noble  that  would  dare  to  hint  as  much  as  this  !  If  Don 
Fernando  is  noble,  are  you  not  nobler,  Senora,  as  coming  of  the 
senior  branch  of  the  same  house ;  if  he  is  young,  are  you  not 
equally  so ;  if  he  is  wise,  are  you  not  wiser ;  if  he  is  comely, 
are  you  not  more  of  an  angel  than  a  woman  ;  if  he  is  valiant, 
are  you  not  virtuous ;  if  he  is  graceful,  are  you  not  grace  itself; 
if  he  is  generous,  are  you  not  good,  and  what  is  more,  are  you 
not  the  very  soul  of  generosity ;  if  he  is  strict  of  duty  in  mat- 
ters of  our  holy  religion,  are  you  not  an  angel  ?" 

"  Glood  sooth — good  sooth — Beatriz,  thou  art  a  comforter  ! 
I  could  reprove  thee  for  this  idle  tongue,  but  I  know  thee 
honest." 

"  This  is  no  more  than  that  deep  modesty,  honored  mistress, 
which  ever  maketh  you  quicker  to  see  the  merits  of  others, 
than  to  perceive  your  own.  Let  Don  Fernando  look  to  it! 
Though  he  come  in  all  the  pomp  and  glory  of  his  many  crowns, 
I  warrant  you  we  find  him  a  royal  maiden  in  Castile,  who  shall 
abash  him  and  rebuke  his  vanity,  even  while  she  appears  before 
him  in  the  sweet  guise  of  her  own  meek  nature  !" 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  39 

"I  have  said  naught  of  Don  Fernando's  vanity,  Beatriz — nor 
do  I  esteem  him  in  the  least  inclined  to  so  weak  a  feeling ;  and 
as  for  pomp,  we  well  know  that  gold  no  more  abounds  at 
Zaragosa  than  at  Valladolid,  albeit  he  hath  many  crowns,  in 
possession,  and  in  reserve.  Notwithstanding  all  thy  foolish  but 
friendly  tongue  hath  uttered,  I  distrust  myself,  and  not  the 
King  of  Sicily.  Methinks  I  could  meet  any  other  prince  in 
Christendom  with  indifference — or,  at  least,  as  becometh  my 
rank  and  sex;  but  I  confess,  I  tremble  at  the  thought  of  en- 
countering the  eyes  and  opinions  of  my  noble  cousin." 

Beatriz  listened  with  interest ;  and  when  her  royal  mistress 
ceased  speaking,  she  kissed  her  hand  affectionately,  and  then 
pressed  it  to  her  heart. 

"Let  Don  Fernando  tremble,  rather,  Senora,  at  encountering 
yours,"  she  answered. 

"Nay,  Beatriz,  we  know  that  he  hath  nothing  to  dread,  for 
report  speaketh  but  too  favorably  of  him.  But,  why  linger 
here  in  doubt  and  apprehension,  when  the  staff  on  which  it  is 
my  duty  to  lean,  is  ready  to  receive  its  burthen :  Father  Alonso 
doubtless  waiteth  for  us,  and  we  will  now  join  him." 

The  princess  and  her  friend  now  repaired  to  the  chapel  of  the 
palace,  where  her  confessor  celebrated  the  daily  mass.  The 
self-distrust  which  disturbed  the  feelings  of  the  modest  Isabella 
was  appeased  by  the  holy  rites,  or,  rather,  it  took  refuge  on  that 
rock  where  she  was  accustomed  to  place  all  her  troubles,  with 
her  sins.  As  the  little  assemblage  left  the  chapel,  one,  hot 
with  haste,  arrived  with  the  expected,  but  still  doubted  tidings, 
that  the  King  of  Sicily  had  reached  Duenas  in  safety,  and  that, 
as  he  was  now  in  the  very  centre  of  his  supporters,  there  could 
no  longer  be  any  reasonable  distrust  of  the  speedy  celebration 
of  the  contemplated  marriage. 

Isabella  was  much  overcome  with  this  news,  and  required 
more  than  usual  of  the  care  of  Beatriz  de  Bobadilla,  to  restore 
her  to  that  sweet  serenity  of  mind  and  air,  which  ordinarily 
rendered  her  presence  as  attractive  as  it  was  commanding.  An 
hour  or  two  spent  in  meditation  and  prayer,  however,  finally 


40  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

produced  a  gentle  calm  in  hex  feelings,  and  these  two  friends 
were  again  alone,  in  the  very  apartment  where  we  first  intro- 
duced them  to  the  reader. 

"Hast  thou  seen  Don  Andres  de  Cabrera?"  demanded  the 
princess,  taking  a  hand  from  a  brow  which  had  been  often 
pressed  in  a  sort  of  bewildered  recollection. 

Beatriz  de  Bobadilla  blushed — and  then  she  laughed  out- 
right, with  a  freedom  that  the  long-established  affection  of  her 
mistress  did  not  rebuke. 

"  For  a  youth  of  thirty,  and  a  cavalier  well  hacked  in  the 
wars  of  the  Moors,  Don  Andres  hath  a  nimble  foot,"  she  an- 
swered. "He  brought  hither  the  tidings  of  the  arrival;  and 
with  it  he  brought  his  own  delightful  person,  to  show  it  was  no 
lie.  For  one  so  experienced,  he  hath  a  strong  propensity  to 
talk ;  and  so,  in  sooth,  while  you,  my  honored  mistress,  would 
be  in  your  closet  alone,  I  could  but  listen  to  all  the  marvels  of 
the  journey.  It  seems,  Senora,  that  they  did  not  reach  Duenas 
any  too  soon  ;  for  the  only  purse  among  them  was  mislaid,  or 
blown  away  by  the  wind  on  account  of  its  lightness." 

"  I  trust  this  accident  hath  been  repaired.  Few  of  the  house 
of  Trastamara  have  much  gold  at  this  trying  moment,  and  yet 
none  are  wont  to  be  entirely  without  it." 

"Don  Andres  is  neither  beggar  nor  miser.  He  is  now  in 
our  Castile,  where  I  doubt  not  he  is  familiar  with  the  Jews  and 
money-lenders ;  as  these  last  must  know  the  full  value  of  his 
lands,  the  King  of  Sicily  will  not  want.  I  hear,  too,  that  the 
Count  of  Trevino  hath  conducted  nobly  with  him." 

"  It  shall  be  well  for  the  Count  of  Trevino  that  he  hath  had 
this  liberality.  But,  Beatriz,  bring  forth  the  writing  materials ; 
it  is  meet  that  I,  at  once,  acquaint  Don  Enriquez  with  this 
event,  and  with  my  purpose  of  marriage." 

"  Nay,  dearest  mistress,  this  is  out  of  all  rule.  When  a 
maiden,  gentle  or  simple,  intendeth  marriage  against  her  kins- 
men's wishes,  it  is  the  way  to  wed  first,  and  to  write  the  letter 
and  ask  the  blessing  when  the  evil  is  done." 

"  Go  to,  light-of-speech  !     Thou  hast  spoken  ;  now  bring  the 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  41 

pens  and  paper.  The  king  is  not  only  my  lord  and  sovereign, 
but  lie  is  my  nearest  of  kin,  and  should  be  my  father." 

"  And  Dona  Joanna  of  Portugal,  his  royal  consort,  and  our 
illustrious  queen,  should  be  your  mother ;  and  a  fitting  guide 
would  she  be  to  any  modest  virgin  !  No — no — my  beloved 
mistress  ;  your  royal  mother  was  the  Dofia  Isabella  of  Portugal 
— and  a  very  different  princess  was  she  from  this,  her  wanton 
niece." 

"Thou  givest  thyself  too  much  license,  Dona  Beatriz,  and 
forgettest  my  request.  I  desire  to  write  to  my  brother  the 
king/' 

It  was  so  seldom  that  Isabella  spoke  sternly,  that  her  friend 
started,  and  the  tears  rushed  to  her  eyes  at  this  rebuke  ;  but 
she  procured  the  writing  materials,  before  she  presumed  to 
look  into  Isabella's  face,  in  order  to  ascertain  if  she  were  really 
angered.  There  all  was  beautiful  serenity  again ;  and  the  Lady 
of  Bobadilla,  perceiving  that  her  mistress's  mind  was  altogether 
occupied  with  the  matter  before  her,  and  that  she  had  already 
forgotten  her  displeasure,  chose  to  make  no  further  allusion  to 
the  subject. 

Isabella  now  wrote  her  celebrated  letter,  in  which  she  ap- 
peared to  forget  all  her  natural  timidity,  and  to  speak  solely  as 
a  princess.  By  the  treaty  of  Toros  de  Guisando,  in  which, 
setting  aside  the  claims  of  Joanna  of  Portugal's  daughter,  she 
had  been  recognized  as  the  heiress  of  the  throne,  it  had  been 
stipulated  that  she  should  not  marry  without  the  king's  con- 
sent ;  and  she  now  apologized  for  the  step  she  was  about  to 
take,  on  the  substantial  plea  that  her  enemies  had  disregarded 
the  solemn  compact  entered  into  not  to  urge  her  into  any  union 
that  was  unsuitable  or  disagreeable  to  herself.  She  then  allud- 
ed to  the  political  advantages  that  would  follow  the  union  of 
the  crowns  of  Castile  and  Aragon,  and  solicited  the  king's 
approbation  of  the  step  she  was  about  to  take.  This'  letter, 
after  having  been  submitted  to  John  de  Vivero,  and  others  of 
her  council,  was  dispatched  by  a  special  messenger — after 
which  act  the  arrangements  necessary  as  preliminaries  to  a 


42  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

meeting  between  the  betrothed  were  entered  into.  Castilian 
etiquette  was  proverbial,  even  in  that  age ;  and  the  discussion 
led  to  a  proposal  that  Isabella  rejected  with  her  usual  modesty 
and  discretion. 

"It  seemeth  to  me,"  said  John  de  Vivero,  "that  this  alli- 
ance should  not  take  place  without  some  admission,  on  the 
part  of  Don  Fernando,  of  the  inferiority  of  Aragon  to  our  own 
Castile.  The  house  of  the  latter  kingdom  is  but  a  junior 
branch  of  the  reigning  House  of  Castile,  and  the  former  terri- 
tory of  old  was  admitted  to  have  a  dependency  on  the  latter." 

This  proposition  was  much  applauded,  until  the  beautiful  and 
natural  sentiments  of  the  princess,  herself,  interposed  to  expose 
its  weakness  and  its  deformities. 

"It  is  doubtless  true,"  she  said,  "that  Don  Juan  of  Aragon 
is  the  son  of  the  younger  brother  of  my  royal  grandfather ; 
but  he  is  none  the  less  a  king.  Nay,  besides  his  crown  of  Ara- 
gon— a  country,  if  thou  wilt,  which  is  inferior  to  Castile — he 
hath  those  of  Naples  and  Sicily  ;  not  to  speak  of  Navarre,  over 
which  he  ruleth,  although  it  may  not  be  with  too  much  right. 
Don  Fernando  even  weareth  the  crown  of  Sicily,  by  the  renun- 
ciation of  Don  Juan  ;  and  shall  he,  a  crowned  sovereign,  make 
concessions  to  one  who  is  barely  a  princess,  and  whom  it  may 
never  please  God  to  conduct  to  a  throne  ?  Moreover,  Don 
John  of  Vivero,  I  beseech  thee  to  remember  the  errand  that 
bringeth  the  King  of  Sicily  to  Valladodid.  Both  he  and  I 
have  two  parts  to  perform,  and  two  characters  to  maintain — 
those  of  prince  and  princess,  and  those  of  Christians  wedded 
and  bound  by  holy  marriage  ties.  It  would  ill  become  one 
that  is  about  to  take  on  herself  the  duties  and  obligations  of  a 
wife,  to  begin  the  intercourse  with  exactions  that  should  be 
humiliating  to  the  pride  and  self-respect  of  her  lord.  Aragon 
may  truly  be  an  inferior  realm  to  Castile — but  Ferdinand  of 
Aragon  is  even  now  every  way  the  equal  of  Isabella  of  Castile ; 
and  when  he  shah  receive  my  vows,  and,  with  them,  my  duty 
and  my  affections" — Isabella's  color  deepened,  and  her  mild 
eye  lighted  with  a  sort   of  holy  enthusiasm — "  as  befitteth  a 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  43 

woman,  though  an  infidel,  lie  would  become,  in  some  particu- 
lars, my  superior.  Let  me,  then,  hear  no  more  of  this ;  for 
it  could  not  nearly  as  much  pain  Don  Fernando  to  make  the 
concessions  ye  require,  as  it  paineth  me  to  hear  of  them." 


44 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILB, 


CHAPTER    III. 

h  Nice  customs  curfsyto  great  kings.  Dear  Kate,  you  ami  I  cannot  be  confined 
within  the  weak  list  of  a  country's  fashion.  "We  are  the  makers  of  manners ;  and  the 
liberty  that  follows  our  places,  stops  the  mouths  of  all  fault-finders.'1 — Henry  V. 

Notwithstanding  her  high  resolution,  habitual  firmness,  and 
a  serenity  of  mind,  that  seemed  to  pervade  the  moral  system  of 
Isabella,  like  a  deep,  quiet  current  of  enthusiasm,  but  which  it 
were  truer  to  assign  to  the  high  and  fixed  principles  that  guided 
all  her  actions,  her  heart  beat  tumultuously,  and  her  native 
reserve,  which  almost  amounted  to  shyness,  troubled  her  sorely, 
as  the  hour  arrived  when  she  was  first  to  behold  the  prince  she 
had  accepted  for  a  husband.  Castilian  etiquette,  no  less  than 
the  magnitude  of  the  political  interests  involved  in  the  intended 
union,  had  drawn  out  the  preliminary  negotiations  several  days; 
the  bridegroom  being  left,  all  that  time,  to  curb  his  impatience 
to  behold  the  princess,  as  best  he  might. 

On  the  evening  of  the  15th  of  October,  1469,  however,  every 
obstacle  being  at  length  removed,  Don  Fernando  threw  himself 
into  the  saddle,  and,  accompanied  by  only  four  attendants, 
among  whom  was  Andres  de  Cabrera,  he  quietly  took  his  way, 
without  any  of  the  usual  accompaniments  of  his  high  rank,  to- 
ward the  palace  of  John  of  Vivero,  in  the  city  of  Valladolid. 
The  Archbishop  of  Toledo  was  of  the  faction  of  the  princess, 
and  this  prelate,  a  warlike  and  active  partisan,  was  in  readiness 
to  receive  the  accepted  suitor,  and  to  conduct  him  to  the  pres- 
ence of  his  mistress. 

Isabella,  attended  only  by  Beatriz  de  Bobadilla,  was  in  wait- 
ing for  the  interview,  in  the  apartment  already  mentioned  ;  and 
by  one  of  those  mighty  efforts  that  even  the  most  retiring  of 
the  sex  can  make,  on  great  occasions,  she  received  her  future 
husband  with  quite  as  much  of  the  dignity  of  a  princess  as  of 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  45 

the  timidity  of  a  woman.  Ferdinand  of  Aragon  had  been  pre- 
pared to  meet  one  of  singular  grace  and  beauty ;  but  the  mix- 
ture of  angelic  modesty  with  a  loveliness  that  almost  surpassed 
that  of  her  sex,  produced  a  picture  approaching  so  much  nearer 
to  heaven  than  to  earth,  that,  though  one  of  circumspect  be- 
havior, and  much  accustomed  to  suppress  emotion,  he  actually 
started,  and  his  feet  were  momentarily  riveted  to  the  floor, 
when  the  glorious  vision  first  met  his  eye.  Then,  recovering 
himself,  he  advanced  eagerly,  and  taking  the  little  hand  which 
neither  met  nor  repulsed  the  attempt,  he  pressed  it  to  his  lips 
with  a  warmth  that  seldom  accompanies  the  first  interviews  of 
those  whose  passions  are  usually  so  factitious. 

"This  happy  moment  hath  at  length  arrived,  my  illustrious 
and  beautiful  cousin  !"  he  said,  with  a  truth  of  feeling  that  went 
directly  to  the  pure  and  tender  heart  of  Isabella ;  for  no  skill 
in  courtly  phrases  can  ever  give  to  the  accents  of  deceit,  the 
point  and  emphasis  that  belong  to  sincerity.  "  I  have  thought  it 
would  never  arrive ;  but  this  blessed  moment — thanks  to  our 
own  St.  Iago,  whom  I  have  not  ceased  to  implore  with  interces- 
sions— more  than  rewTards  me  for  all  anxieties.'' 

"  I  thank  my  Lord  the  Prince,  and  bid  him  right  welcome," 
modestly  returned  Isabella.  "The  difficulties  that  have  been 
overcome,  in  order  to  effect  this  meeting,  are  but  t}^pes  of  the 
difficulties  we  shall  have  to  conquer  as  we  advance  through 
life." 

Then  followed  a  few  courteous  expressions  concerning  the 
hopes  of  the  princess  that  her  cousin  had  wanted  for  nothing, 
since  his  arrival  in  Castile,  with  suitable  answers ;  when  Don 
Ferdinand  led  her  to  an  armed-chair,  assuming  himself  the  stool 
on  which  Beatriz  de  Bobadilla  was  wont  to  be  seated,  in  her 
familiar  intercourse  with  her  royal  mistress.  Isabella,  howTever, 
sensitively  alive  to  the  pretensions  of  the  Castilians,  who  were 
fond  of  asserting  the  superiority  of  their  own  country  over  that 
of  Aragon,  would  not  quietly  submit  to  this  arrangement,  but 
declined  to  be  seated,  unless  her  suitor  wrould  take  the  chair 
prepared  for  him  also,  saying — 


46  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

"It  ill  befitteth  one  who  hath  little  more  than  some  royalty 
of  blood,  and  her  dependence  on  God,  to  be  thus  placed,  while 
the  King  of  Sicily  is  so  unworthily  bestowed. " 

"Let  me  entreat  that  it  may  be  so,"  returned  the  king.  "All 
considerations  of  earthly  rank  vanish  in  this  presence  ;  view  me 
as  a  knight,  ready  and  desirous  of  proving  his  fealty  in  any  court 
or  field  of  Christendom,  and  treat  me  as  such." 

Isabella,  who  had  that  high  tact  which  teaches  the  precise 
point  where  breeding  becomes  neuter  and  airs  commence, 
blushed  and  smiled,  but  no  longer  declined  to  be  seated.  It 
was  not  so  much  the  mere  words  of  her  cousin  that  went  to  her 
heart,  as  the  undisguised  admiration  of  his  looks,  the  animation 
of  his  eye,  and  the  frank  sincerity  of  his  manner.  With  a 
woman's  instinct  she  perceived  that  the  impression  she  had 
made  was  favorable,  and,  with  a  woman's  sensibility,  her  heart 
was  ready,  under  the  circumstances,  to  dissolve  in  tenderness  at 
the  discovery.  This  mutual  satisfaction  soon  opened  the  way 
to  a  freer  conversation ;  and,  ere  half  an  hour  was  passed,  the 
archbishop — who,  though  officially  ignorant  of  the  language  and 
wishes  of  lovers,  was  practically  sufficiently  familiar  with  both — 
contrived  to  draw  the  two  or  three  courtiers  who  were  present, 
into  an  adjoining  room,  where,  though  the  door  continued 
open,  he  placed  them  with  so  much  discretion  that  neither 
eye  nor  ear  could  be  any  restraint  on  what  was  passing.  As 
for  Beatriz  de  Bobadilla,  whom  female  etiquette  required  should 
remain  in  the  same  room  with  her  royal  mistress,  she  was  so 
much  engaged  with  Andres  de  Cabrera,  that  half  a  dozen 
thrones  might  have  been  disposed  of  between  the  royal  pair, 
and  she  none  the  wiser. 

Although  Isabella  did  not  lose  that  mild  reserve  and  feminine 
modesty  that  threw  so  winning  a  grace  around  her  person,  even 
to  the  day  of  her  death,  she  gradually  grew  more  calm  as  the 
discourse  proceeded ;  and,  falling  back  on  her  self-respect, 
womanly  dignity,  and,  not  a  little,  on  those  stores  of  knowledge 
that  she  had  been  diligently  collecting,  while  others  similarly 
situated  had  wasted  their  time  in  the  vanities  of  courts,  she  was 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  47 

quickly  at  her  ease,  if  not  wholly  in  that  tranquil  state  of  mind 
to  which  she  had  been  accustomed. 

"I  trust  there  can  now  be  no  longer  any  delay  to  the  cele- 
bration of  our  union  by  holy  church,"  observed  the  king,  in 
continuation  of  the  subject.  "  All  that  can  be  required  of  us 
both,  as  those  entrusted  with  the  cares  and  interests  of  realms, 
hath  been  observed,  and  I  may  have  a  claim  to  look  to  my 
own  happiness.  We  are  not  strangers  to  each  other,  Dona 
Isabella ;  for  our  grandfathers  were  brothers,  and  from  infancy 
up,  have  I  been  taught  to  reverence  thy  virtues,  and  to  strive 
to  emulate  thy  holy  duty  to  God." 

"I  have  not  betrothed  myself  lightly,  Don  Fernando,"  re- 
turned the  princess,  blushing,  even  while  she  assumed  the 
majesty  of  a  queen ;  "  and  with  the  subject  so  fully  discussed, 
the  wisdom  of  the  union  so  fully  established,  and  the  necessity 
of  promptness  so  apparent,  no  idle  delays  shall  proceed  from 
me.  I  had  thought  that  the  ceremony  might  be  had  on  the 
fourth  day  from  this,  which  will  give  us  both  time  to  prepare 
for  an  occasion  so  solemn,  by  suitable  attention  to  the  offices 
of  the  church.7' 

"It  must  be  as  thou  wiliest,"  said  the  king,  respectfully 
bowing;  "and  now  there  remaineth  but  a  few  preparations, 
and  we  shall  have  no  reproaches  of  forgetfulness.  Thou  know- 
est,  Dona  Isabella,  how  sorely  my  father  is  beset  by  his  ene- 
mies, and  I  need  scarce  tell  thee  that  his  coffers  are  empty. 
In  good  sooth,  my  fair  cousin,  nothing  but  my  earnest  desire 
to  possess  myself,  at  as  early  a  day  as  possible,  of  the  precious 
boon  that  Providence  and  thy  goodness" — 

"Mingle  not,  Don  Fernando,  any  of  the  acts  of  God  and  his 
providence,  with  the  wisdom  and  petty  expedients  of  his  crea- 
tures," said  Isabella,  earnestly. 

"To  seize  upon  the  precious  boon,  then,  that  Providence 
appeared  willing  to  bestow,"  rejoined  the  king,  crossing  him- 
self, while  he  bowed  his  head,  as  much,  perhaps,  in  deference 
to  the  pious  feelings  of  his  affianced  wife,  as  in  deference  to  a 
higher  Power — "would  not  admit  of  delay,' and  we   quitted 


48  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

Zaragosa  better  provided  with  hearts  loyal  toward  the  treasures 
we  were  to  find  in  Valladolid,  than  with  gold.  Even  that  we 
had,  by  a  mischance,  hath  gone  to  enrich  some  lucky  varlet 
in  an  inn."  | 

"  Dona  Beatriz  de  Bobadilla  hath  acquainted  me  with  the  mis- 
hap," said  Isabella,  smiling;  "and  truly  we  shall  commence  our 
married  lives  with  but  few  of  the  goods  of  the  world  in  present 
possession.  I  have  little  more  to  offer  thee,  Fernando,  than  a 
true  heart,  and  a  spirit  that  I  think  may  be  trusted  for  its  fidelity." 

"  In  obtaining  thee,  my  excellent  cousin,  I  obtain  sufficient 
to  satisfy  the  desires  of  any  reasonable  man.  Still,  something 
is  due  to  our  rank  and  future  prospects,  and  it  shall  not  be  said 
that  thy  nuptials  passed  like  those  of  a  common  subject." 

"  Under  ordinary  circumstances  it  might  not  appear  seemly 
for  one  of  my  sex*  to  furnish  the  means  for  her  own  bridal," 
answered  the  princess,  the  blood  stealing  to  her  face  until  it 
crimsoned  even  her  brow  and  temples  ;  maintaining,  otherwise, 
that  beautiful  tranquillity  of  mien  which  marked  her  ordinary 
manner — "  but  the  well-being  of  two  states  depending  on  our 
union,  vain  emotions  must  be  suppressed.  I  am  not  without 
jewels,  and  Valladolid  hath  many  Hebrews :  thou  wilt  permit 
me  to  part  with  the  baubles  for  such  an  object." 

"  So  that  thou  preservest  for  me  the  jewel  in  which  that 
pure  mind  is  encased,"  said  the  King  of  Sicily,  gallantly,  "  I 
care  not  if  I  never  see  another.  But  there  will  not  be  this  need ; 
for  our  friends,  who  have  more  generous  souls  than  well-filled 
coffers  too,  can  give  such  warranty  to  the  lenders  as  will  pro- 
cure the  means.  I  charge  myself  with  this  duty,  for  henceforth, 
my  cousin — may  I  not  say  my  betrothed  V — 

"The  term  is  even  dearer  than  any  that  belongeth  to  blood, 
Fernando,"  answered  the  princess,  with  a  simple  sincerity  of 
manner  that  set  at  nought  the  ordinary  affectations  and  artificial 
feelings  of  her  sex,  while  it  left  the  deepest  reverence  for  her 
modesty — "and  we  might  be  excused  for  using  it.  I  trust 
God  will  bless  our  union,  not  only  to  our  own  happiness,  but  to 
that  of  our  people." 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  49 

"Then,  my  betrothed,  henceforth  we  have  but  a  common 
fortune,  and  thou  wilt  trust  in  me  for  the  provision  for  thy 
wants." 

"  Nay,  Fernando,"  answered  Isabella,  smiling,  "  imagine 
what  we  will,  we  cannot  imagine  ourselves  the  children  of  two 
hidalgos  about  to  set  forth  in  the  world  with  humble  dowries. 
Thou  art  a  king,  even  now ;  and  by  the  treaty  of  Toros  de 
Guisando,  I  am  solemnly  recognized  as  the  heiress  of  Castile. 
We  must,  therefore,  have  our  separate  means,  as  well  as  our 
separate  duties,  though  I  trust  hardly  our  separate  interests." 

"  Thou  wilt  never  find  me  failing  in  that  respect  which  is 
due  to  thy  rank,  or  in  that  duty  which  it  befitteth  me  to  render 
thee,  as  the  head  of  our  ancient  House,  next  to  thy  royal 
brother,  the  king." 

"Thou  hast  well  considered,  Don  Fernando,  the  treaty  of 
marriage,  and  accepted  cheerfully,  I  trust,  all  of  its  several 
conditions  ?" 

"As  becometh  the  importance  of  the  measures,  and  the 
magnitude  of  the  benefit  I  was  to  receive." 

"  I  would  have  them  acceptable  to  thee,  as  well  as  expedient ; 
for,  though  so  soon  to  become  thy  wife,  I  can  never  cease  to 
remember  that  I  shall  be  Queen  of  this  country." 

"Thou  mayest  be  assured,  my  beautiful  betrothed,  that  Fer« 
dinand  of  Aragon  will  be  the  last  to  deem  thee  aught  else." 

"  I  look  on  my  duties  as  coming  from  God,  and  on  myself  as 
one  rigidly  accountable  to  him  for  their  faithful  discharge.  Scep- 
tres may  not  be  treated  as  toys,  Fernando,  to  be  trifled  with ;  for 
man  beareth  no  heavier  burden,  than  when  he  beareth  a  crown." 

"The  maxims  of  our  House  have  not  been  forgotten  in  Ara- 
gon, my  betrothed — and  I  rejoice  to  find  that  they  are  the 
same  in  both  kingdoms." 

"We  are  not  to  think  principally  of  ourselves  in  entering 
upon  this  engagement,"  continued  Isabella,  earnestly — "  for 
that  wTould  be  supplanting  the  duties  of  princes  by  the  feelings 
of  the  lover.  Thou  hast  frequently  perused,  and  sufficiently 
conned  the  marriage  articles,  I  trust  V ' 


50  MERCEDES      OF      CiSTILE. 

"  There  hath  been  sufficient  leisure  for  that,  my  cousin,  as 
they  have  now  been  signed  these  nine  months." 

"If  I  may  have  seemed  to  thee  exacting  in  some  particulars," 
continued  Isabella,  with  the  same  earnest  and  beautiful  sim- 
plicity as  usually  marked  her  deportment  in  all  the  relations  of 
life — ".it  is  because  the  duties  of  a  sovereign  may  not  be  over- 
looked. Thou  knowest,  moreover,  Fernando,  the  influence 
that  the  husband  is  wont  to  acquire  over  the  wife,  and  wilt  feel 
the  necessity  of  my  protecting  my  Castilians,  in  the  fullest 
manner,  against  my  own  weaknesses." 

"  If  thy  Castilians  do  not  suffer  until  they  suffer  from  that 
cause,  Doiia  Isabella,  their  lot  will  indeed  be  blessed." 

"  These  are  words  of  gallantry,  and  I  must  reprove  their  use 
on  an  occasion  so  serious,  Fernando.  I  am  a  few  months  thy 
senior,  and  shall  assume  an  elder  sister's  rights,  until  they  are 
lost  in  the  obligations  of  a  wife.  Thou  hast  seen  in  those  arti- 
cles, how  anxiously  I  would  protect  my  Castilians  against  any 
supremacy  of  the  stranger.  Thou  knowest  that  many  of  the 
greatest  of  this  realm  are  opposed  to  our  union,  through  appre- 
hension of  Aragonese  sway,  and  wilt  observe  how  studiously  we 
have  striven  to  appease  their  jealousies." 

"Thy  motives,  Dona  Isabella,  have  been  understood,  and  thy 
wishes  in  this  and  all  other  particulars  shall  be  respected." 

"I  would  be  thy  faithful  and  submissive  wife,"  returned  the 
princess,  with  an  earnest  but  gentle  look  at  her  betrothed  ; 
"  but  I  would  also  that  Castile  should  preserve  her  rights  and 
her  independence.  What  will  be  thy  influence,  the  maiden  that 
freely  bestoweth  her  hand,  need  hardly  say ;  but  we  must  pre- 
serve the  appearance  of  separate  states." 

"  Confide  in  me,  my  cousin.  They  who  live  fifty  years  hence 
will  say  that  Don  Fernando  knew  how  to  respect  his  obligations 
and  to  discharge  his  duty." 

"  There  is  the  stipulation,  too,  to  war  upon  the  Moor.  I 
shall  never  feel  that  the  Christians  of  Spain  have  been  true  to 
the  faith,  while  the  follower  of  the  arch-imposter  of  Mecca  re- 
maineth  in  the  peninsula." 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  51 

"  Thou  and  thy  archbishop  could  not  have  imposed  a  more 
agreeable  duty,  than  to  place  my  lance  in  rest  against  the 
infidels.  My  spurs  have  been  gained  in  those  wars,  already; 
and  no  sooner  shall  we  be  crowned,  than  thou  wilt  see  my  per- 
fect willingness  to  aid  in  driving  back  the  miscreants  to  their 
original  sands.'  \ 

"  There  remaineth  but  one  thing  more  upon  my  mind,  gen- 
tle cousin.  Thou  knowest  the  evil  influence  that  besets  my 
brother,  and  that  it  hath  disaffected  a  large  portion  of  his 
nobles  as  well  as  of  his  cities.  We  shall  both  be  sorely  tempt- 
ed to  wage  war  upon  him,  and  to  assume  the  sceptre  before  it 
pleaseth  God  to  accord  it  to  us,  in  the  course  of  nature.  I 
would  have  thee  respect  Don  Enriquez,  not  only  as  the  head  of 
our  royal  house,  but  as  my  brother  and  anointed  master. 
Should  evil  counsellors  press  him  to  attempt  aught  against  our 
persons  or  rights,  it  will  be  lawful  to  resist ;  but  I  pray  thee, 
Fernando,  on  no  excuse  seek  to  raise  thy  hand  in  rebellion 
against  my  rightful  sovereign." 

"  Let  Don  Enriquez,  then,  be  chary  of  his  Beltraneja!"  an- 
swered the  prince  with  warmth.  "By  St.  Peter!  I  have  rights 
of  mine  own  that  come  before  those  of  that  ill-gotten  mongrel ! 
The  whole  House  of  Trastamara  hath  an  interest  in  stifling  that 
spurious  scion  which  hath  been  so  fraudulently  engrafted  on  its 
princely  stock !" 

"  Thou  art  warm,  Don  Fernando,  and  even  the  eye  of  Bea- 
triz  de  Bobadilla  reproveth  thy  heat.  The  unfortunate  Joanna 
never  can  impair  our  rights  to  the  throne,  for  there  are  few  no- 
bles in  Castile  so  unworthy  as  to  wish  to  see  the  crown  bestowed 
where  it  is  believed  the  blood  of  Pelayo  doth  not  flow." 

"Don  Enriquez  hath  not  kept  faith  with  thee,  Isabella,  since 
the  treaty  of  Toros  de  Guisando  !" 

"My  brother  is  surrounded  by  wicked  counsellors — and 
then,  Fernando," — the  princess  blushed  crimson  as  she  spoke — - 
" neither  have  we  been  able  rigidly  to  adhere  to  that  conven- 
tion, since  one  of  its  conditions  was  that  my  hand  should  not  bo 
bestowed  without  the  consent  of  the  king." 


52  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

aHe  hath  driven  us  into  this  measure,  and  hath  only  to  re- 
proach himself  with  our  failure  on  this  point." 

"  I  endeavor  so  to  view  it,  though  many  have  been  my  pray- 
ers for  forgiveness  of  this  seeming  breach  of  faith.  I  am  not 
superstitious,  Fernando,  else  might  I  think  God  would  frown  on 
a  union  that  is  contracted  in  the  face  of  pledges  like  these. 
But,  it  is  well  to  distinguish  between  motives,  and  we  have  a 
right  to  believe  that  He  who  readeth  the  heart,  will  not  judge 
the  well-intentioned  severely.  Had  not  Don  Enriquez  attempt- 
ed to  seize  my  person,  with  the  plain  purpose  of  forcing  me  to 
a  marriage  against  my  will,  this  decisive  step  could  not  have 
been  necessary,  and  would  not  have  been  taken." 

"  I  have  reason  to  thank  my  patron  saint,  beautiful  cousin, 
that  thy  will  was  less  compliant  than  thy  tyrants  had  believed." 

"  I  could  not  plight  my  troth  to  the  King  of  Portugal,  or  to 
Monsieur  de  Guienne,  or  to  any  that  they  proposed  to  me,  for 
my  future  lord,"  answered  Isabella,  ingenuously.  "  It  ill  be- 
fitted royal  or  noble  maidens  to  set  up  their  own  inexperienced 
caprices  in  opposition  to  the  wisdom  of  their  friends,  and  the 
task  is  not  difficult  for  a  virtuous  wife  to  learn  to  love  her 
husband,  when  nature  and  opinion  are  not  too  openly  vio- 
lated in  the  choice  ;  but  I  have  had  too  much  thought  for  my 
soul  to  wish  to  expose  it  to  so  severe  a  trial,  in  contracting  the 
marriage  duties." 

"  I  feel  that  I  am  only  too  unworthy  of  thee,  Isabella — -but 
thou  must  train  me  to  be  that  thou  wouldst  wish  ;  I  can  only 
promise  thee  a  most  willing  and  attentive  scholar." 

The  discourse  now  became  more  general,  Isabella  indulging 
her  natural  curiosity  and  affectionate  nature,  by  making  many 
inquiries  concerning  her  different  relatives  in  Aragon.  After 
the  interview  had  lasted  two  hours  or  more,  the  King  of  Sicily 
returned  to  Duefias,  with  the  same  privacy  as  he  had  observed 
in  entering  the  town.  The  royal  pair  parted  with  feelings  of 
increased  esteem  and  respect,  Isabella  indulging  in  those  gentle 
anticipations  of  domestic  happiness  that  more  properly  belong 
to  the  tender  nature  of  woman. 


MERCEDES      OF      CAS.  TILE.  53 

The  marriage  took  place,  with  suitable  pomp,  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  19th  October,  1469,  in  the  chapel  of  John  de  Vive- 
ro's  palace  ;  no  less  than  two  thousand  persons,  principally  of 
condition,  witnessing  the  ceremony.  Just  as  the  officiating 
priest  was  about  to  commence  the  offices,  the  eye  of  Isabella 
betrayed  uneasiness,  and  turning  to  the  Archbishop  of  Toledo, 
she  said — 

"Your  grace  hath  promised  that  there  should  be  nothing 
wanting  to  the  consent  of  the  church  on  this  solemn  occasion. 
Tt  is  known  that  Don  Fernando  of  Aragon  and  I  stand  within 
the  prohibited  degrees." 

"Most  true,  my  Lady  Isabella,"  returned  the  prelate,  with  a 
composed  mien  and  a  paternal  smile.  "  Happily,  our  Holy 
Father  Pius  hath  removed  this  impediment,  and  the  church 
smileth  on  this  blessed  union  in  every  particular." 

The  archbishop  then  took  out  of  his  pocket  a  dispensation, 
which  he  read  in  a  clear,  sonorous,  steady  voice  ;  when  every 
shade  disappeared  from  the  serene  brow  of  Isabella,  and  the 
ceremony  proceeded.  Years  elapsed  before  this  pious  and 
submissive  Christian  princess  discovered  that  she  had  been 
imposed  on,  the  bull  that  was  then  read  having  been  an  inven- 
tion of  the  old  King  of  Aragon  and  the  prelate,  not  without 
suspicions  of  a  connivance  on  the  part  of  the  bridegroom. 
This  deception  had  been  practised  from  a  perfect  conviction 
that  the  sovereign  pontiff  was  too  much  under  the  influence 
of  the  King  of  Castile,  to  consent  to  bestow  the  boon  in  oppo- 
sition to  that  monarch's  wishes.  It  was  several  years  before 
Sixtus  IV.  repaired  this  wrong,  by  granting  a  more  genuine 
authority. 

Nevertheless,  Ferdinand  and  Isabella  became  man  and  wife. 
What  followed  in  the  next  twenty  years  must  be  rather  glanced 
at  than  related.  Henry  IV.  resented  the  step,  and  vain  at- 
tempts were  made  to  substitute  his  supposititious  child,  La 
Beltraneja,  in  the  place  of  his  sister,  as  successor  to  the  throne. 
A  civil  war  ensued,  during  which  Isabella  steadily  refused  to 
assume  the  crown,  though  often  entreated  ;  limiting  her  efforts 
3 


54  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

to  the  maintenance  of  her  rights  as  heiress  presumptive.  In 
1474,  or  five  years  after  her  marriage,  Don  Henry  died,  and 
she  then  became  Queen  of  Castile,  though  her  spurious  niece 
was  also  proclaimed  by  a  small  party  among  her  subjects.  The 
war  of  the  succession,  as  it  was  called,  lasted  five  years  longer, 
when  Joanna,  or  La  Beltraneja,  assumed  the  veil,  and  the 
rights  of  Isabella  were  generally  acknowledged.  About  the 
same  time,  died  Don  John  II.,  when  Ferdinand  mounted  the 
throne  of  Aragon.  These  events  virtually  reduced  the  sove- 
reignties of  the  peninsula,  which  had  so  long  been  cut  up  into 
petty  states,  to  four,  viz.,  the  possessions  of  Ferdinand  and 
Isabella,  which  included  Castile,  Leon,  Aragon,  Valencia,  and 
many  other  of  the  finest  provinces  of  Spain  ;  Navarre,  an  in- 
significant kingdom  in  the  Pyrenees ;  Portugal,  much  as  it 
exists  to-day  ;  and  Granada,  the  last  abiding-place  of  the  Moor, 
north  of  the  strait  of  Gibraltar. 

Neither  Ferdinand,  nor  his  royal  consort,  was  forgetful  of 
that  clause  in  their  marriage  contract,  which  bound  the  for- 
mer to  undertake  a  war  for  the  destruction  of  the  Moorish 
power.  The  course  of  events,  however,  caused  a  delay  of 
many  years,  in  putting  this  long-projected  plan  in  execution  ; 
but  wThen  the  time  finally  arrived,  that  Providence  which 
seemed  disposed  to  conduct  the  pious  Isabella,  through  a  train 
of  important  incidents,  from  the  reduced  condition  in  which 
we  have  just  described  her  to  have  been,  to  the  summit  of 
human  power,  did  not  desert  its  favorite.  Success  succeeded 
success — and  victory,  victory  ;  until  the  Moor  had  lost  fortress 
after  fortress,  town  after  town,  and  was  finally  besieged  in  his 
very  capital — his  last  hold  in  the  peninsula.  As  the  reduction 
of  Granada  was  an  event  that,  in  Christian  eyes,  was  to  be 
ranked  second  only  to  the  rescuing  of  the  holy  sepulchre 
from  the  hands  of  the  Infidels,  so  was  it  distinguished  by 
some  features  of  singularity,  that  have  probably  never  before 
marked  the  course  of  a  siege.  The  place  submitted  on  the 
25th  November,  1491 — twenty-two  years  after  the  date  of  the 
marriage  just  mentioned,  and,  it  may  not  be  amiss  to  observe, 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  55 

on  the  very  day  of  the  year  that  has  become  memorable  in  the 
annals  of  this  country,  as  that  on  which  the  English,  three  cen- 
turies later,  reluctantly  yielded  their  last  foothold  on  the  coast 
of  the  republic. 

In  the  course  of  the  preceding  summer,  while  the  Spanish 
forces  lay  before  the  town,  and  Isabella,  with  her  children,  were 
anxious  witnesses  of  the  progress  of  events,  an  accident  occurred 
that  had  well  nigh  proved  fatal  to  the  royal  family,  and  brought 
destruction  on  the  Christian  arms.  The  pavillion  of  the  queen 
took  fire,  and  was  consumed,  placing  the  whole  encampment  in 
the  utmost  jeopardy.  ■  Many  of  the  tents  of  the  nobles  were 
also  destroyed,  and  much  treasure,  in  the  shape  of  jewelry  and 
plate,  was  lost,  though  the  injury  went  no  further.  In  order  to 
guard  against  the  recurrence  of  such  an  accident,  and  probably 
viewing  the  subjection  of  Granada  as  the  great  act  of  their 
mutual  reign — for,  as  yet,  Time  threw  his  veil  around  the  future, 
and  but  one  human  eye  foresaw  the  greatest  of  all  the  events  of 
the  period,  which  was  still  in  reserve — the  sovereigns  resolved 
on  attempting  a  work  that,  of  itself,  would  render  this  siege 
memorable.  The  plan  of  a  regular  town  was  made,  and  labor- 
ers set  about  the  construction  of  good  substantial  edifices,  in 
which  to  lodge  the  army ;  thus  converting  the  warfare  into  that 
of  something  like  city  against  city.  In  three  -months  this  stu- 
pendous work  was  completed,  with  its  avenues,  streets,  and 
squares,  and  received  the  name  of  Santa  Fe,  or  Holy  Faith — an 
appellation  quite  as  well  suited  to  the  zeal  which  could  achieve 
such  a  work,  in  the  heat  of  a  campaign,  as  to  that  general  re- 
liance on  the  providence  of  God  which  animated  the  Christians 
in  carrying  on  the  war.  The  construction  of  this  place  struck 
terror  into  the  hearts  of  the  Moors,  for  they  considered  it  a 
proof  that  their  enemies  intended  to  give  up  the  conflict  only 
with  their  lives  ;  and  it  is  highly  probable  that  it  had  a  direct 
and  immediate  influence  on  the  submission  of  Boabdil,  the 
King  of  Granada,  who  yielded  the  Alhambra  a  few  weeks  after 
the  Spaniards  had  taken  possession  of  their  new  abodes. 

Santa  Fe  still  exists,  and  is  visited  by  the  traveller  as  a  place 


56 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 


of  curious  origin  ;  while  it  is  rendered  remarkable  by  the  fact 
— real  or  assumed — that  it  is  the  only  town  of  any  size  in 
Spain,  that  has  never  been  under  Moorish  sway. 

The  main  incidents  of  our  tale  will  now  transport  us  to  this 
era,  and  to  this  scene ;  all  that  has  been  related  as  yet,  being 
merely  introductory  matter,  to  prepare  the  reader  for  the  events 
that  are  to  follow. 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTIL] 


57 


CHAPTER  IV. 

u  What  thing  a  right  line  is,  the  learned  know; 
But  how  availes  that  hiin,  who  in  the  right 
Of  life  and  manners  doth  desire  to  grow  ? 

What  then  are  all  these  humane  arts,  and  lights, 
But  seas  of  errors  ?    In  whose  depths  who  sound, 
Of  truth  finde  only  shadowes,  and  no  ground." 

Human  Learning. 

The  morning  of  the  2d  of  January,  1492,  was  ushered  in 
with  a  solemnity  and  pomp  that  were  unusual  even  in  a  court 
and  camp  as  much  addicted  to  religious  observances  and  royal 
magnificence,  as  that  of  Ferdinand  and  Isabella.  The  sun  had 
scarce  appeared,  when  all  in  the  extraordinary  little  city  of 
Santa  Fe  were  afoot,  and  elate  with  triumph.  The  negotiations 
for  the  surrender  of  Granada,  which  had  been  going  on  secretly 
for  weeks,  were  terminated ;  the  army  and  nation  had  been 
formally  apprised  of  their  results,  and  this  was  the  day  set  for 
the  entry  of  the  conquerors. 

The  court  had  been  in  mourning  for  Don  Alonso  of  Portugal, 
the  husband  of  the  Princess  Royal  of  Castile,  who  had  died  a 
bridegroom;  but  on  this  joyous  occasion  the  trappings  of  woe 
were  cast  aside,  and  all  appeared  in  their  gayest  and  most  mag- 
nificent apparel.  At  an  hour  that  was  still  early,  the  Grand 
Cardinal  moved  forward,  ascending  what  is  called  the  Hill  of 
Martyrs,  at  the  head  of  a  strong  body  of  troops,  with  a  view  to 
take  possession.  While  making  the  ascent,  a  party  of  Moorish 
cavaliers  was  met ;  and  at  their  head  rode  one  in  whom,  by  the 
dignity  of  his  mien  and  the  anguish  of  his  countenance,  it  was 
easy  to  recognize  the  mental  suffering  of  Boabdil,  or  Abdallah, 
the  deposed  monarch.  The  cardinal  pointed  out  the  position 
occupied  by  Ferdinand,  who,  with  that  admixture  of  piety  and 


53  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

worldly  policy  which  were  so  closely  interwoven  in  his  charac- 
ter, had  refused  to  enter  within  the  walls  of  the  conquered  city, 
until  the  symbol  of  Christ  had  superseded  the  banners  of  Ma- 
homet ;  and  who  had  taken  his  station  at  some  distance  from  the 
gates,  with  a  purpose  and  display  of  humility  that  were  suited 
to  the  particular  fanaticism  of  the  period.  As  the  interview 
that  occurred  has  often  been  related,  and  twice  quite  recently 
by  distinguished  writers  of  our  own  country,  it  is  unnecessary 
to  dwell  on  it  here.  Abdallah  next  sought  the  presence  of  the 
purer-minded  and  gentle  Isabella,  where  his  reception,  with 
less  affection  of  the  character,  had  more  of  the  real  charity  and 
compassion  of  the  Christian  ;  when  he  went  his  way  toward  that 
pass  in  the  mountains  that  has  ever  since  been  celebrated  as  the 
point  where  he  took  his  last  view  of  the  palaces  and  towers  of 
his  fathers,  from  which  it  has  obtained  the  poetical  and  touch- 
ing name  of  El  Ultimo  Suspiro  Del  Moro. 

Although  the  passage  of  the  last  King  of  Granada,  from  his 
palace  to  the  hills,  was  in  no  manner  delayed,  as  it  was  grave 
and  conducted  with  dignity,  it  consequently  occupied  some 
time.  These  were  hours  in  which  the  multitude  covered  the 
highways,  and  the  adjacent  fields  were  garnished  with  a  living 
throng,  all  of  whom  kept  their  eyes  riveted  on  the  towers  of  the 
Alhambra,  where  the  signs  of  possession  were  anxiously  looked 
for  by  every  good  Catholic  who  witnessed  the  triumph  of*  his 
religion. 

Isabella,  who  had  made  this  conquest  a  condition  in  the 
articles  of  marriage — whose  victory  in  truth  it  was — abstained, 
with  her  native  modesty,  from  pressing  forward  on  this  occasion. 
She  had  placed  herself  at  some  distance  in  the  rear  of  the  posi- 
tion of  Ferdinand.  Still — unless,  indeed,  we  except  the  long- 
coveted  towers  of  the  Alhambra — she  was  the  centre  of  attrac- 
tion. She  appeared  in  royal  magnificence,  as  due  to  the  glory 
of  the  occasion ;  her  beauty  always  rendered  her  an  object  of 
admiration ;  her  mildness,  inflexible  justice,  and  unyielding 
truth,  had  won  all  hearts  ;  and  she  was  really  the  person  who 
was  most  to  profit  by  the  victory,  Granada  being  attached  to 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  59 

her  own  crown  of  Castile,  and  not  to  that  of  Aragon,  a  country 
that  possessed  little  or  no  contiguous  territory. 

Previously  to  the  appearance  of  Abdallali,  the  crowd  moved 
freely,  in  all  directions ;  multitudes  of  civilians  having  flocked 
to  the  camp  to  witness  the  entry.  Among  others  were  many 
friars,  priests,  and  monks — the  war,  indeed,  having  the  character 
of  a  crusade.  The  throng  of  the  curious  was  densest  near  the 
person  of  the  queen,  where,  in  truth,  the  magnificence  of  the 
court  was  the  most  imposing.  Around  this  spot,  in  particular, 
congregated  most  of  the  religious,  for  they  felt  that  the  pious 
mind  of  Isabella  created  a  sort  of  moral  atmosphere  in  and  near 
her  presence,  that  was  peculiarly  suited  to  their  habits,  and 
favorable  to  their  consideration.  Among  others,  was  a  friar  of 
prepossessing  mien,  and,  in  fact,  of  noble  birth,  who  had  been 
respectfully  addressed  as  Father  Pedro,  by  several  grandees,  as 
he  made  his  way  from  the  immediate  presence  of  the  queen,  to 
a  spot  where  the  circulation  was  easier.  He  was  accompanied 
by  a  youth  of  an  air  so  much  superior  to  that  of  most  of  those 
who  did  not  appear  that  day  in  the  saddle,  that  he  attracted 
general  attention.  Although  not  more  than  twenty,  it  was 
evident,  from  his  muscular  frame,  and  embrowned  but  florid 
cheeks,  that  he  was  acquainted  with  exposure ;  and  by  his 
bearing,  many  thought,  notwithstanding  he  did  not  appear  in 
armor  on  an  occasion  so  peculiarly  military,  that  both  his  mien 
and  his  frame  had  been  improved  by  familiarity  with  war.  His 
attire  was  simple,  as  if  he  rather  avoided  than  sought  observa- 
tion, but  it  was,  nevertheless,  such  as  was  worn  by  none  but 
the  noble.  Several  of  those  who  watched  this  youth,  as  he 
reached  the  less  confined  portions  of  the  crowd,  had  seen  him 
received  graciously  by  Isabella,  whose  hand  he  had  even  been 
permitted  to  kiss,  a  favor  that  the  formal  and  fastidious  court 
of  Castile  seldom  bestowed  except  on  the  worthy,  or  on  those, 
at  least,  who  were  unusually  illustrious  from  their  birth.  Some 
whispered  that  he  was  a  Guzman,  a  family  that  was  almost 
royal  ;  while  others  thought  that  he  might  be  a  Ponce,  a  name 
that  had  got  to  be  one  of  the  first  in  Spain,  through  the  deeds 


60  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE, 

of  the  renowned  Marquis-Duke  of  Cadiz,  in  this  very  war  ;  while 
others,  again,  affected  to  discern  in  his  lofty  brow,  firm  step, 
and  animated  eye,  the  port  and  countenance  of  a  Mendoza. 

It  was  evident  that  the  subject  of  all  these  commentaries 
was  unconscious  of  the  notice  that  was  attracted  by  his  vigor- 
ous form,  handsome  face,  and  elastic,  lofty  tread ;  for,  like  one 
accustomed  to  be  observed  by  inferiors,  his  attention  was  con- 
fined to  such  objects  as  amused  his  eye,  or  pleased  his  fancy, 
while  he  lent  a  willing  ear  to  the  remarks  that,  from  time  to 
time,  fell  from  the  lips  of  his  reverend  companion. 

"This  is  a  most  blessed  and  glorious  day  for  Christianity  1" 
observed  the  friar,  after  a  pause  a  little  longer  than  common. 
"  An  impious  reign  of  seven  hundred  years  hath  expired,  and  the 
Moor  is  at  length  lowered  from  his  pride ;  while  the  cross  is  ele- 
vated above  the  banners  of  the  false  prophet.  Thou  hast  had  an- 
cestors, my  son,  who  might  almost  arise  from  their  tombs,  and 
walk  the  earth  in  exultation,  if  the  tidings  of  these  changes  were 
permitted  to  reach  the  souls  of  Christians  long  since  departed." 

"  The  Blessed  Maria  intercede  for  them,  father,  that  they 
may  not  be  disturbed,  even  to  see  the  Moor  unhoused ;  for  I 
doubt  much,  agreeable  as  the  Infidel  hath  made  it,  if  they  find 
Granada  as  pleasant  as  Paradise." 

"Son  Don  Luis,  thou  hast  got  much  levity  of  speech,  in  thy 
late  journey ings ;  and  I  doubt  if  thou  art  as  mindful  of  thy 
paters  and  confessions,  as  when  under  the  care  of  thy  excellent 
mother,  of  sainted  memory  !" 

This  was  not  only  said  reprovingly,  but  with  a  warmth  that 
amounted  nearly  to  anger. 

"Chide  me  not  so  warmly, father,  for  a  lightness  of  speech 
that  cometh  of  youthful  levity,  rather  than  of  disrespect  for  holy 
church.  Nay,  thou  rebukest  warmly,  and  then,  as  I  come  like 
a  penitent  to  lay  my  transgressions  before  thee,  and  to  seek  ab- 
solution, thou  fastenest  thine  eye  on  vacancy,  and  gazest  as  if 
one  of  the  spirits  of  which  thou  so  lately  spokest  actually  had 
arisen  and  come  to  see  the  Moor  crack  his  heart-strings  at 
quitting  his  beloved  Alhambra!" 


MERCEDES.    OF      CASTILE.  61 

"  Dost  see  that  man,  Luis!"  demanded  the  friar,  still  gazing 
in  a  fixed  direction,  though  he  made  no  gesture  to  indicate  to 
which  particular  individual  of  the  many  who  were  passing  in  all 
directions,  he  especially  alluded. 

a  By  my  veracity,  I  see  a  thousand,  father,  though  not  one  to 
fasten  the  eye  as  if  he  were  fresh  from  Paradise.  Would  it  be  ex- 
ceeding discretion  to  ask  who  or  what  hath  thus  riveted  thy  gaze  ?" 

"Dost  see  yonder  person  of  high  and  commanding  stature, 
and  in  whom  gravity  and  dignity  are  so  singularly  mingled  with 
an  air  of  poverty ;  or,  if  not  absolutely  of  poverty — for  he  is 
better  clad,  and,  seemingly,  in  more  prosperity  now,  than  I  re- 
member ever  to  have  seen  him — still,  evidently  not  of  the  rich 
and  noble ;  while  his  bearing  and  carriage  would  seem  to  be- 
speak him  at  least  a  monarch !" 

"  I  think  I  now  perceive  him  thou  meanest,  father ;  a  man 
of  very  grave  and  reverend  appearance,  though  of  simple  de- 
portment. I  see  nothing  extravagant,  or  ill-placed,  either  in 
his  attire,  or  in  his  bearing." 

"  I  mean  not  that ;  but  there  is  a  loftiness  in  his  dignified 
countenance  that  one  is  not  accustomed  to  meet  in  those  who 
are  unused  to  power." 

"  To  me,  he  hath  the  air  and  dress  of  a  superior  navigator,  or 
pilot — of  a  man  accustomed  to  the  seas — ay,  he  hath  sundry 
symbols  about  him  that  bespeak  such  a  pursuit." 

"Thou  art  right,  Don  Luis,  for  such  is  his  calling.  He 
cometh  of  Genoa,  and  his  name  is  Christoval  Colon  ;  or,  as 
they  term  it  in  Italy,  Christoforo  Colombo." 

"  I  remember  to  have  heard  of  an  admiral  of  that  name,  who 
did  good  service  in  the  wars  of  the  south,  and  who  formerly 
led  a  fleet  into  the  far  east." 

"This  is  not  he,  but  one  of  humbler  habits," though  possi- 
bly of  the  same  blood,  seeing  that  both  are  derived  from  the 
identical  place.  This  is  no  admiral,  though  he  would  fain  be- 
come one — ay,  even  a  king  1" 

"The  man  is, "then,  either  of  a  wTeak  mind,  or  of  a  light  am- 
bition." 


G2  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

"  He  is  neither.  In  mind,  lie  hath  outdone  many  of  our 
most  learned  churchmen  ;  and  it  is  due  to  his  piety  to  say  that 
a  more  devout  Christian  doth  not  exist  in  Spain.  It  is  plain, 
son,  that  thou  hast  been  much  abroad,  and  little  at  court,  or 
thou  wouldst  have  known  the  history  of  this  extraordinary  be- 
ing, at  the  mention  of  his  name,  which  has  been  the  source  of 
merriment  for  the  frivolous  and  gay  this  many  a  year,  and 
which  has  thrown  the  thoughtful  and  prudent  into  more  doubts 
than  many  a  fierce  and  baneful  heresy." 

"  Thou  stirrest  my  curiosity,  father,  by  such  language.  Who 
and  what  is  the  man  f" 

"  An  enigma,  that  neither  prayers  to  the  Virgin,  the  learning 
of  the  cloisters,  nor  a  zealous  wish  to  reach  the  truth,  hath  ena- 
bled me  to  read.  Come  hither,  Luis,  to  this  bit  of  rock,  where 
we  can  be  seated,  and  I  will  relate  to  thee  the  opinions  that 
render  this  being  so  extraordinary.  Thou  must  know,  son,  it 
is  now  seven  years  since  this  man  first  appeared  among  us.  He 
sought  employment  as  a  discoverer,  pretending  that,  by  steer- 
ing out  into  the  ocean,  on  a  western  course,  for  a  great  and 
unheard-of  distance,  he  could  reach  the  farther  Indies,  with 
the  rich  island  of  Cipango,  and  the  kingdom  of  Cathay,  of 
which  one  Marco  Polo  hath  left  us  some  most  extraordinary 
legends !" 

' '  By  St.  James  of  blessed  memory  !  the  man  must  be  short 
of  his  wits  !"  interrupted  Don  Luis,  laughing,  "  In  what  way 
could  this  thing  be,  unless  the  earth  were  round — the  Indies 
lying  east,  and  not  west  of  us?" 

"  That  hath  been  often  objected  to  his  notions  ;  but  the  man 
hath  ready  answers  to  much  weightier  arguments." 

"  What  weightier  than  this  can  be  found?  Our  own  eyes 
tell  us  that  the  earth  is  flat." 

"  Therein  he  differeth  from  most  men — and  to  own  the 
truth,  son  Luis,  not  without  some  show  of  reason.  He  is  a 
navigator,  as  thou  wilt  understand,  and  he  replies  that,  on  the 
ocean,  when  a  ship  is  seen  from  afar,  her  upper  sails  are  first 
perceived,  and  that  as  she  draweth  nearer,  her  lower  sails,  and 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  63 

finally  her  hull  cometh  into  view.  But  thou  hast  been  over  sea, 
and  may  have  observed  something  of  this?' ' 

"  Truly  have  I,  father.  While  mounting  the  English  sea,  we 
met  a  gallant  cruiser  of  the  king's,  and,  as  thou  said'st,  we  first 
perceived  her  upper  sail,  a  white  speck  upon  the  water ;  then 
followed  sail  after  sail,  until  we  came  nigh  and  saw  her  gigantic 
hull,  with  a  very  goodly  show  of  bombards  and  cannon — some 
twenty  at  least,  in  all." 

"  Then  thou  agreest  with  this  Colon,  and  thinkest  the  earth 
round  ?'? 

"By  St.  George  of  England!  not  T.  I  have  seen  too  much 
of  the  world,  to  traduce  its  fair  surface  in  so  heedless  a  man- 
ner. England,  France,  Burgundy,  Germany,  and  all  those  dis- 
tant countries  of  the  north,  are  just  as  lervel  and  flat  as  our  own 
Castile." 

"  Why,  then,  didst  thou  see  the  upper  sails  of  the  English- 
man first  V1 

"  Why,  father — why — because  they  were  first  visible.  Yes, 
because  they  came  first  into  view." 

"  Do  the  English  put  the  largest  of  their  sails  uppermost  on 
the  masts?" 

"They  would  be  fools  if  they  did.  Though  no  great  naviga- 
tors— our  neighbors  the  Portuguese,  and  the  people  of  Genoa, 
exceeding  all  others  in  that  craft — though  no  great  navigators, 
the  English  are  not  so  surpassingly  stupid.  Thou  wilt  remem- 
ber the  force  of  the  winds,  and  understand  that  the  larger  the 
sail  the  lower  should  be  its  position." 

"Then  how  happened  it  that  thou  sawest  the  smaller  object 
before  the  larger?" 

"  Truly,  excellent  Fray  Pedro,  thou  hast  not  conversed  with 
this  Christoforo  for  nothing !     A  question  is  not  a  reason." 

"Socrates  was  fond  of  questions,  son;  but  he  expected  an- 
swers." 

"  Peste  !  as  they  say  at  the  court  of  King  Louis.  I  am  not 
Socrates,  my  good  father,  but  thy  old  pupil  and  kinsman,  Luis 
de  Bobadilla,  the  truant  nephew  of  the  queen's  favorite,  the 


64  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

Marchioness  of  Moya,  and  as  well-born  a  cavalier  as  there  is  in 
Spain — though  somewhat  given  to  roving,  if  my  enemies  are  to 
be  believed." 

"  Neither  thy  pedigree,  thy  character,  nor  thy  vagaries,  need 
be  given  to  me,  Don  Luis  de  Bobadilla,  since  I  have -known 
thee  and  thy  career  from  childhood.  Thou  hast  one  merit  that 
none  will  deny  thee,  and  that  is,  a  respect  for  truth  ;  and  never 
hast  thou  more  completely  vindicated  thy  character,  in  this 
particular,  than  when  thou  saidst  thou  were  not  Socrates." 

The  worthy  friar's  good-natured  smile,  as  he  made  this  sally, 
took  off  some  of  its  edge ;  and  the  young  man  laughed,  as  if 
too  conscious  of  his  own  youthful  follies  to  resent  what  he 
heard. 

"But,  dear  Fray  Pedro,  lay  aside  thy  government,  for  once, 
and  stoop  to  a  rational  discourse  with  me  on  this  extraordinary 
subject.  Thou,  surely,  wilt  not  pretend  that  the  earth  is 
round?" 

"I  do  not  go  as  far  as  some,  on  this  point,  Luis,  for  I  see 
difficulties  with  Holy  "Writ,  by  the  admission.  Still,  this 
matter  of  the  sails  much  puzzleth  me,  and  I  have  often  felt  a 
desire  to  go  from  one  port  to  another,  by  sea,  in  order  to  wit- 
ness it.  Were  it  not  for  the  exceeding  nausea  that  I  ever  feel 
in  a  boat,  I  might  attempt  the  experiment." 

"  That  would  be  a  worthy  consummation  of  all  thy  wisdom !" 
exclaimed  the  young  man,  laughing.  "Fray  Pedro  de  Carrascal 
turned  rover,  like  his  old  pupil,  and  that,  too,  astride  a  vagary ! 
But  set  thy  heart  at  rest,  my  honored  kinsman  and  excellent 
instructor,  for  I  can  save  thee  the  trouble.  In  all  my  journey- 
Lngs,  by  sea  and  by  land — and  thou  knowest  that,  for  my  years, 
they  have  been  many — I  have  ever  found  the  earth  flat,  and 
the  ocean  the  flattest  portion  of  it,  always  excepting  a  few  tur- 
bulent and  uneasy  waves." 

"No  doubt  it  so  seemeth  to  the  eye ;  but  this  Colon,  who  hath 
voyaged  far  more  than  thou,  thinketh  otherwise.  He  contend- 
eth  that  the  earth  is  a  sphere,  and  that,  by  sailing  west,  he  can 
reach  points  that  have  been  already  attained  by  journeying  east," 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  C5 

"  By  San  Lorenzo  !  but  the  idea  is  a  bold  one  !  Doth  the 
man  really  propose  to  venture  out  into  the  broad  Atlantic,  and 
even  to  cross  it  to  some  distant  and  unknown  land?" 

"  That  is  his  very  idea  ;  and  for  seven  weary  years  hath  he 
solicited  the  court  to  furnish  him  with  the  means.  Nay,  as  I 
hear,  he  hath  passed  much  more  time — other  seven  years,  per- 
haps— in  urging  his  suit  in  different  lands." 

"  If  the  earth  be  round,"  continued  Don  Luis,  with  a  musing 
air,  "  what  preventeth  all  the  water  from  flowing  to  the  lower 
parts  of  it  ?  How  is  it,  that  we  have  any  seas  at  all  ?  and  if,  as 
thou  hast  hinted,  he  deemeth  the  Indies  on  the  other  side,  how 
Is  it  that  their  people  stand  erect  ? — it  cannot  be  done  without 
placing  the  feet  uppermost." 

"That  difficulty  hath  been  presented  to  Colon,  but  he 
treateth  it  lightly.  Indeed,  most  of  our  churchmen  are  getting 
to  believe  that  there  is  no  up,  or  down,  except  as  it  relateth  to 
the  surface  of  the  earth ;  so  that  no  great  obstacle  existeth  in 
that  point." 

"Thou  would' st  not  have  me  understand,  father,  that  a  man 
can  walk  on  his  head — and  that,  too,  with  the  noble  member 
in  the  air  ?  By  San  Francisco  !  thy  men  of  Cathay  must  have 
talons  like  a  cat,  or  they  would  be  falling,  quickly  I" 

"  Whither,  Luis  ?" 

"  Whither,  Fray  Pedro  ? — to  Tophet,  or  the  bottomless  pit. 
It  can  never  be  that  men  walk  on  their  heads,  heels  uppermost, 
with  no  better  foundation  than  the  atmosphere.  The  caravels, 
too,  must  sail  on  their  masts — and  that  would  be  rare  naviga- 
tion !  What  would  prevent  the  sea  from  tumbling  out  of  its 
bed,  and  falling  on  the  Devil's  fires  and  extinguishing  them  V? 

"  Son  Luis,"  interrupted  the  monk,  gravely,  "  thy  lightness 
of  speech  is  carried  too  far.  But,  if  thou  so  much  deridest 
the  opinion  of  this  Colon,  what  are  thine  own  notions  of  the 
formation  of  this  earth,  that  God  hath  so  honored  with  his  spirit 
and  his  presence  V 

"  That  it  is  as  flat  as  the  buckler  of  the  Moor  I  slew  in  the 
last  sortie,  which  is  as  flat  as  steel  can  hammer  iron."  » 


G6  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE, 

"  Dost  thou  think  it  hath  limits?" 

u  That  do  I — and  please  heaven,  and  Dona  Mercedes  de 
Valverde,  I  will  see  them  before  I  die  !" 

"  Then  thou  fanciest  there  is  an  edge,  or  precipice,  at  the 
four  sides  of  the  world,  which  men  may  reach,  and  where 
they  can  stand  and  look  off,  as  from  an  exceeding  high  plat- 
form?" 

"  The  picture  doth  not  lose,  father,  for  the  touch  of  thy 
pencil !  I  have  never  bethought  me  of  this  before ;  and  yet 
some  such  spot  there  must  be,  one  would  think.  By  San  Fer-. 
nando,  himself!  that  would  be  a  place  to  try  the  metal  of  even 
Don  Alonso  de  Ojeda,  who  might  stand  on  the  margin  of  the 
earth,  put  his  foot  on  a  cloud,  and  cast  an  orange  to  the 
moon  I" 

"  Thou  hast  bethought  thee  little  of  any  thing  serious,  I 
fear,  Luis  ;  but  to  me,"  this  opinion  and  this  project  of  Colon 
are  not  without  merit.  I  see  but  two  serious  objections  to  them, 
one  of  which  is,  the  difficulty  connected  with  Holy  Writ ;  and 
the  other,  the  vast  and  incomprehensible,  nay,  useless,  extent 
of  the  ocejan  that  must  necessarily  separate  us  from  Cathay  ; 
else  should  we  long  since  have  heard  from  that  quarter  of  the 
world." 

"  Do  the  learned  favor  the  man's  notions  J" 

"  The  matter  hath  been  seriously  argued  before  a  council  held 
at  Salamanca,  where  men  were  much  divided  upon  it.  One 
serious  obstacle  is  the  apprehension  that  should  the  world  prove 
to  be  round,  and  could  a  ship  even  succeed  in  getting  to  Cathay 
by  the  west,  there  would  be  great  difficulty  in  her  ever  return- 
ing, since  there  must  be,  in  some  manner,  an  ascent  and  a 
descent.  I  must  say  that  most  men  deride  this  Colon ;  and  I 
fear  he  will  never  reach  his  island  of  Cipango,  as  he  doth  not 
seem  in  the  way  even  to  set  forth  on  the  journey.  I  marvel 
that  he  should  now  be  here,  it  having  been  said  he  had  taken 
his  final  departure  for  Portugal." 

"  Dost  thou  say,  father,  that  the  man  hath  long  been  in 
Spain  ?"  demanded  Don  Luis,  gravely,  with  his  eye  riveted  on 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  G  7 

the  dignified  form  of  Columbus,  who  stood  calmly  regarding  the 
gorgeous  spectacle  of  the  triumph,  at  no  great  distance  from  the 
rock  where  the  two  had  taken  their  seats. 

"  Seven  weary  years  hath  he  been  soliciting  the  rich  and  the 
great  to  furnish  him  with  the  means  of  undertaking  his  favorite 
voyage. ' ' 

"  Hath  he  the  gold  to  prefer  so  long  a  suit !" 

"By  his  appearance,  I  should  think  him  poor— nay,  I  know 
that  he  hath  toiled  for  bread,  at  the  occupation  of  a  map-maker. 
One  hour  he  hath  passed  in  arguing  with  philosophers  and  in 
soliciting  princes,  while  the  next  hath  been  occupied  in  laboring 
for  the  food  that  he  hath  taken  for  sustenance." 

u  Thy  description,  father,  hath  whetted  curiosity  to  so  keen 
an  edge,  that  I  would  fain  speak  with  this  Colon.  I  see  he  re- 
maineth  yonder,  in  the  crowd,  and  will  go  and  tell  him  that  I, 
too,  am  somewhat  of  a  navigator,  and  will  extract  from  him  a 
few  of  his  peculiar  ideas." 

"  And  in  what  manner  wilt  thou  open  the  acquaintance,  son  f" 

"  By  telling  him  that  I  am  Don  Luis  de  Bobadilla,  the  nephew 
of  the  Dona  Beatriz  of  Moya,  and  a  noble  of  one  of  the  best 
houses  of  Castile." 

"  And  this,  thou  thinkest,  will  suffice  for  thy  purpose,  Luis  !" 
returned  the  friar,  smiling.  "  No — no — my  son;  this  may  do 
with  most  map-sellers,  but  it  will  not  effect  thy  wishes  with 
yonder  Christoval  Colon.  That  man  is  so  filled  writh  the  vast- 
ness  of  his  purposes  ;  is  so  much  raised  up  with  the  magnitude 
of  the  results  that  his  mind  intently  contemplateth,  day  and 
night ;  seemeth  so  conscious  of  his  own  powers,  that  even  kings 
and  princes  can,  in  no  manner,  lessen  his  dignity.  That  which 
thou  proposest,  Don  Fernando,  our  honored  master,  might 
scarcely  attempt,  and  hope  to  escape  without  some  rebuke  of 
manner,  if  not  of  tongue.'.' 

"By  all  the  blessed  saints!  Fray  Pedro,  thou  givest  an 
extraordinary  account  of  this  man,  and  only  increasest  the 
desire  to  know  him.  Wilt  thou  charge  thyself  with  the  intro- 
duction?" 


68  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

"  Most  willingly,  for  I  wish,  to  inquire  what  hath  brought 
him  back  to  court,  whence,  I  had  understood,  he  lately  went, 
with  the  intent  to  go  elsewhere  with  his  projects.  Leave  the 
mode  in  my  hands,  son  Luis,  and  we  will  see  what  can  be 
acomplished." 

The  friar  and  his  mercurial  young  companion  now  arose  from 
their  seats  on  the  rock,  and  threaded  the  throng,  taking  the 
direction  necessary  to  approach  the  man  who  had  been  the 
subject  of  their  discourse,  and  still  remained  that  of  their 
thoughts.  When  near  enough  to  speak,  Fray  Pedro  stopped, 
and  stood  patiently  waiting  for  a  moment  when  he  might  catch 
the  navigator's  eye.  This  did  not  occur  for  several  minutes, 
the  looks  of  Colon  being  riveted  on  the  towers  of  the  Alham- 
bra,  where,  at  each  instant,  the  signal  of  possession  was  expect- 
ed to  appear  ;  and  Luis  de  Bobadilla,  who,  truant,  and  errant, 
and  volatile,  and  difficult  to  curb,  as  he  had  proved  himself  to 
be,  never  forgot  his  illustrious  birth  and  the  conventional  dis- 
tinctions attached  to  personal  rank,  began  to  manifest  his  impa- 
tience at  being  kept  so  long  dancing  attendance  on  a  mere  map- 
seller  and  a  pilot.  He  in  vain  urged  his  companion  to  advance, 
however ;  but  one  of  his  own  hurried  movements  at  length 
drew  aside  the  look  of  Columbus,  when  the  eyes  of  the  latter 
and  of  the  friar  met,  and  being  old  acquaintances,  they  saluted 
in  the  courteous  manner  of  the  age. 

"  I  felicitate  you,  Seiior  Colon,  on  the  glorious  termination 
of  this  siege,  and  rejoice  that  you  are  here  to  witness  it,  as 
I  had  heard  affairs  of  magnitude  had  called  you  to  another 
country." 

"  The  hand  of  God,  father,  is  to  be  traced  in  all  things. 
You  perceive  in  this  success  the  victory  of  the  cross  ;  but  to 
me  it  conveyeth  a  lesson  of  perseverance,  and  sayeth  as  plainly 
as  events  can  speak,  that  what  God  hath  decreed,  must  come  to 
pass." 

"  I  like  your  application,  Seiior ;  as,  indeed,  I  do  most  of 
your  thoughts  on  our  holy  religion.  Perseverance  is  truly 
necessary  to  salvation  ;  and  I  doubt  not  that  a  fitting  symbol 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  69 

to  the  same  may  be  found  in  the  manner  in  which  our  pious 
sovereigns  have  conducted  this  war,  as  well  as  in  its  glorious 
termination." 

"  True,  father  ;  and  also  doth  it  furnish  a  symbol  to  the  for- 
tunes of  all  enterprises  that  have  the  glory  of  God  and  the 
welfare  of  the  church  in  view,"  answered  Colon,  or  Columbus, 
as  the  name  has  been  Latinized  ;  his  eye  kindling  with  that 
latent  fire  which  seems  so  deeply  seated  in  the  visionary  and 
the  enthusiast.  "  It  may  seem  out  of  reason  to  you,  to  make 
such  applications  of  these  great  events;  but  the  triumph  of 
their  Highnesses  this  day,  marvellously  encourageth  me  to  per- 
severe, and  not  to  faint,  in  my  own  weary  pilgrimage,  both 
leading  to  triumphs  of  the  cross." 

"  Since  you  are  pleased  to  speak  of  your  own  schemes, 
Senor  Colon,"  returned  the  friar,  ingenuously,  "  I  am  not  sorry 
that  the  matter  hath  come  up  between  us  ;  for  here  is  a  youth- 
ful kinsman  of  mine,  who  hath  been  somewhat  of  a  rover, 
himself,  in  the  indulgence  of  a  youthful  fancy,  that  neither 
friends  nor  yet  love  could  restrain  ;  and  having  heard  of^your 
noble  projects,  he  is  burning  with  a  desire  to  learn  more  of 
them  from  your  own  mouth,  should  it  suit  your  condescension 
so  to  indulge  him." 

"I  am  always  happy  to  yield  to  the  praiseworthy  wishes  of 
the  young  and  adventurous,  and  shall  cheerfully  communicate 
to  your  young  friend  all  he  may  desire  to  know,"  answered 
Columbus,  with  a  simplicity  and  dignity  that  at  once  put  to 
flight  all  the  notions  of  superiority  and  affability  with  which 
Don  Luis  had  intended  to  carry  on  the  conversation,  and  which 
had  the  immediate  effect  to  satisfy  the  young  man  that  he  wa& 
to  be  the  obliged  and  honored  party,  in  the  intercourse  that  was 
to  follow.  "But,  Senor,  you  have  forgotten  to  give  me  the 
name  of  the  cavalier." 

"  It  is  Don  Luis  de  Bobadilla,  a  youth  whose  best  claims  to 
your  notice,  perhaps,  are,  a  most  adventurous  and  roving  spirit, 
and  the  fact  that  he  may  call  your  honored  friend,  the  Marchion- 
ess of  Moya,  his  aunt." 


ii)  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

"  Either  would  be  sufficient,  father.  I  love  the  spirit  of  ad 
venture  in  the  youthful ;  for  it  is  implanted,  no  doubt,  by  God, 
in  order  that  they  may  serve  his  all-wise  and  beneficent  de- 
signs ;  and  it  is  of  such  as  these  that  my  own  chief  worldly  stay 
and  support  must  be  found.  Then,  next  to  Father  Juan  Pe- 
rez de  Marchena  and  Senor  Alonzo  de  Quintanilla,  do  I  esteem 
Dona  Beatriz,  among  my  fastest  friends ;  her  kinsman,  there- 
fore, will  be  certain  of  my  esteem  and  respect." 

All  this  sounded  extraordinary  to  Don  Luis  ;  for,  though 
the  dress  and  appearance  of  this  unknown  stranger,  who  even 
spoke  the  Castilian  with  a  foreign  accent,  were  respectable,  he 
had  been  told  he  was  merely  a  pilot,  or  navigator,  who  earned 
his  bread  by  toil ;  and  it  was  not  usual  for  the  noblest  of  Cas- 
tile to  be  thus  regarded,  as  it  might  be,  with  a  condescending 
favor,  by  any  inferior  to  those  who  could  claim  the  blood  and 
lineage  of  princes.  At  first  he  was  disposed  to  resent  the  words 
of  the  stranger ;  then  to  laugh  in  his  face  ;  but,  observing  that 
the  friar  treated  him  with  great  deference,  and  secretly  awed  by 
the  air  of  the  reputed  projector,  he  was  not  only  successful  in 
maintaining  a  suitable  deportment,  but  he  made  a  proper  and 
courteous  reply,  such  as  became  his  name  and  breeding.  The 
three  then  retired  together,  a  little  aloof  from  the  thickest  of  the 
throng,  and  found  seats,  also,  on  one  of  the  rocks,  of  which  so 
many  were  scattered  about  the  place. 

"Don  Luis  hath  visited  foreign  lands,  you  say, father,"  said 
Columbus,  who  did  not  fail  to  lead  the  discourse,  like  one  en- 
titled to  it  by  rank,  or  personal  claims,  "and  hath  a  craving  for 
the  wonders  and  dangers  of  the  ocean  S" 

"  Such  hath  been  either  his  merit  or  his  fault,  Senor;  had  he 
listened  to  the  wishes  of  Dona  Beatriz,  or  to  my  advice,  he 
wrould  not  have  thrown  aside  his  knightly  career  for  one  so  little 
in  unison  with  his  training  and  birth.' ' 

"  Nay,  father,  you  treat  the  youth  with  unmerited  severity  ; 
he  who  passeth  a  life  on  the  ocean,  cannot  be  said  to  pass  it  in 
either  an  ignoble  or  a  useless  manner.  God  separated  differ- 
ent countries  by  vast  bodies  of  water,  not  with  any  intent  to 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  71 

render  their  people  strangers  to  each  other,  but,  doubtless, 
that  they  might  meet  amid  the  wonders  with  which  he 
hath  adorned  the  ocean,  and  glorify  his  name  and  power  so 
much  the  more.  We  all  have  our  moments  of  thoughtlessness 
in  youth — a  period  when  we  yield  to  our  impulses  rather  than 
to  our  reason  ;  and  as  I  confess  to  mine,  I  am  little  disposed  to 
bear  too  hard  on  Senor  Don  Luis,  that  he  hath  had  his." 

"  You  have  probably  battled  with  the  Infidel,  by  sea,  Senor 
Colon,"  observed  the  young  man,  not  a  little  embarrassed  as  to 
the  manner  in  which  he  should  introduce  the  subject  he  most 
desired. 

"Ay,  and  by  land,  too,  son" — the  familiarity  startled  the 
young  noble,  though  he  could  not  take  offence  at  it — "  and  by 
land,  too.  The  time  hath  been,  when  I  had  a  pleasure  in  re- 
lating my  perils  and  escapes,  which  have  been  numerous,  both 
from  war  and  tempests ;  but,  since  the  power  of  God  hath 
awakened  my  spirit  to  mightier  things,  that  his  will  may  be 
done,  and  his  word  spread  throughout  the  whole  earth,  my 
memory  ceaseth  to  dwell  on  them."  Fray  Pedro  crossed  him- 
self, and  Don  Luis  smiled  and  shrugged  his  shoulders,  as  one  is 
apt  to  do  when  he  listens  to  any  thing  extravagant ;  but  the 
navigator  proceeded  in  the  earnest,  grave  manner  that  appeared 
to  belong  to  his  character.  "It  is  now  very  many  years  since 
I  was  engaged  in  that  remarkable  combat  between  the  forces  of 
my  kinsman  and  namesake,  the  younger  Colombo,  as  he  was 
called,,  to  distinguish  him  from  his  uncle,  the  ancient  admiral 
of  the  same  name,  which  took  place  not  far  north  from  Cape 
St.  Vincent.  On  that  bloody  day,  we  contended  with  the  foe — 
Venetians,  richly  laden — from  morn  till  even,  and  yet  the  Lord 
carried  me  through  the  hot  contest  unharmed.  On  another  oc- 
casion, the  galley  in  which  I  fought  was  consumed  by  fire,  and 
I  had  to  find  my  way  to  land — no  trifling  distance — by  the  aid 
of  an  oar.  To  me,  it  seemeth  that  the  hand  of  God  was  in 
this,  and  that  he  would  not  have  taken  so  signal  and  tender,  a 
care  of  one  of  his  insignificant  creatures,  unless  to  use  him 
largely  for  his  own  honor  and  glory." 


i'l  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

Although  the  eye  of  the  navigator  grew  brighter  as  he  utter- 
ed this,  and  his  cheek  flushed  with  a  species  of  holy  enthusiasm, 
it  was  impossible  to  confound  one  so  grave,  so  dignified,  so 
measured  even  in  his  exaggerations  (if  such  they  were),  with 
the  idle  and  light-minded,  who  mistake  momentary  impulses 
for  indelible  impressions,  and  passing  vanities  for  the  convictions 
that  temper  character.  Fray  Pedro,  instead  of  smiling,  or  in 
any  manner  betraying  that  he  regarded  the  other's  opinions 
lightly,  devoutly  crossed  himself  again,  and  showed  by  the  sym- 
pathy expressed  in  his  countenance,  how  much  he  entered  into 
the  profound  religious  faith  of  the  speaker. 

"  The  ways  of  God  are  often  mysterious  to  his  creatures,' T 
said  the  friar;  "  but  we  are  taught  that  they  all  lead  to  the  ex- 
altation of  his  name  and  to  the  glory  of  his  attributes.'7 

"  It  is  so  that  I  consider  it,  father ;  and  with  such  views  have 
I  always  regarded  my  own  humble  efforts  to  honor  him.  We 
are  but  instruments,  and  useless  instruments,  too,  when  we  look 
at  how  little  proceedeth  from  our  own  spirits  and  power.'1 

"  There  cometh  the  blessed  symbol  that  is  our  salvation  and 
guide !"  exclaimed  the  friar,  holding  out  both  arms  eagerly,  as 
if  to  embrace  some  distant  object  in  the  heavens,  immediately 
falling  to  his  knees,  and  bowing  his  shaven  and  naked  head,  in 
deep  humility,  to  the  earth. 

Columbus  turned  his  eyes  in  the  direction  indicated  by  his 
companion's  gestures,  and  he  beheld  the  large  silver  cross  that 
the  sovereigns  had  carried  with  them  throughout  the  late  war, 
as  a  pledge  of  its  objects,  glittering  on  the  principal  tower  of 
the  Alhambra.  At  the  next  instant,  the  banners  of  Castile  and 
of  St.  James  were  unfolded  from  other  elevated  places.  Then 
came  the  song  of  triumph,  mingled  with  the  chants  of  the 
church.  Te  Deum  was  sung,  and  the  choirs  of  the  royal  chapel 
chanted  in  the  open  fields  the  praises  of  the  Lord  of  Hosts.  A 
scene  of  magnificent  religious  pomp,  mingled  with  martial  array, 
followed,  that  belongs  rather  to  general  history  than  to  the  par- 
ticular and  private  incidents  of  our  tale. 


MERCEDES      OF     CASTILE.  73 


CHAPTER  V. 

"  Who  hath  not  proved  how  feebly  words  essay 
To  fix  one  spark  of  beauty's  heavenly  ray  ? 
Who  doth  not  feel,  until  Ms  failing  sight 
Faints  into  dimness  with  its  own  delight, 
His  changing  cheek,  his  sinking  heart  confess 
The  might — the  majesty  of  loveliness !" 

Byron. 

That  night  the  court  of  Castile  and  Aragon  slept  in  the  pal* 
ace  of  the  Alhambra.  As  soon  as  the  religious  ceremony  alluded 
to  in  the  last  chapter  had  terminated,  the  crowd  rushed  into  the 
place,  and  the  princes  followed,  with  a  dignity  and  state  better 
suited  to  their  high  character.  The  young  Christian  nobles, 
accompanied  by  their  wives  and  sisters — for  the  presence  of  * 
Isabella,  and  the  delay  that  attended  the  surrender,  had  drawn 
together  a  vast  many  of  the  gentler  sex,  in  addition  to  those 
whose  duty  it  was  to  accompany  their  royal  mistress — hurried 
eagerly  through  the  celebrated  courts  and  fretted  apartments  of 
this  remarkable  residence ;  nor  was  curiosity  appeased  even  when 
night  came  to  place  a  temporary  stay  to  its  indulgence.  The 
Court  of  the  Lions  in  particular,  a  place  still  renowned  through- 
out Christendom  for  its  remains  of  oriental  beauty,  had  been 
left  by  Boabdil  in  the  best  condition  ;  and,  although  it  was  mid- 
winter, by  the  aid  of  human  art  it  was  even  then  gay  with 
flowers ;  while  the  adjacent  halls,  those  of  the  Two  Sisters  and 
of  Abencerrages,  were  brilliant  with  light,  and  alive  with  warriors 
and  courtiers,  dignified  priests  and  luxuriant  beauty. 

Although  no  Spanish  eye  could  be  otherwise  than  familiar 
with  the  light  peculiar  graces  of  Moorish  architecture,  these  of 
the  Alhambra  so  much  surpassed  those  of  any  other  palace 
which  had  been  erected  by  the  Mussulman  dynasties  of  that 


^4  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE, 

part  of  the  world,  that  their  glories  struck  the  beholders  with 
the  freshness  of  novelty,  as  well  as  with  the  magnificence  of 
royalty.  The  rich  conceits  in  stucco,  an  art  of  eastern  origin 
then  little  understood  in  Christendom  ;  the  graceful  and  fanciful 
arabesques — which,  improved  on  by  the  fancies  of  some  of  the 
greatest  geniuses  the  world  ever  saw,  have  descended  to  our 
own  times,  and  got  to  be  so  familiar  in  Europe,  though  little 
known  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic — decorated  the  walls,  while 
brilliant  fountains  cast  their  waters  into  the  air,  and  fell  in  glit- 
tering spray,  resembling  diamonds. 

Among  the  throng  that  moved  through  this  scene  of  almost 
magical  beauty,  was  Beatrix  de  Bobadilla,  who  had  long  been 
the  wife  of  Don  Andres  de  Cabrera,  and  was  now  generally 
known  as  the  Marchioness  of  Moya ;  the  constant,  near,  and 
confidential  friend  of  the  queen,  a  character  she  retained  until 
her  royal  mistress  was  numbered  with  the  dead.  On  her  arm 
leaned  lightly  a  youthful  female,  of  an  appearance  so  remark- 
able, that  few  strangers  would  have  passed  her  without  turning 
to  take  a  second  look  at  features  and  a  countenance  that  were 
seldom  seen  and  forgotten.  This  was  Dona  Mercedes  de  Val- 
verde,  one  of  the  noblest  and  richest  heiresses  of  Castile ;  the 
relative,  ward,  and  adopted  daughter  of  the  queen's  friend — 
favorite  being  hardly  the  term  one  would  apply  to  the  relation 
in  which  Dona  Beatriz  stood  toward  Isabella.  It  was  not  the 
particular  beauty  of  Dona  Mercedes,  however,  that  rendered  her 
appearance  so  remarkable  and  attractive  ;  for,  though  feminine, 
graceful,  of  exquisite  form,  and  even  of  pleasing  features,  there 
were  many  in  that  brilliant  court  who  would  generally  be 
deemed  fairer.  But  no  other  maiden  of  Castile  had  a  coun- 
tenance so  illuminated  by  the  soul  within,  or  no  other  female 
face  habitually  wore  so  deep  an  impression  of  sentiment  and 
sensibility;  and  the  professed  physiognomist  would  have  de- 
lighted to  trace  the  evidences  of  a  deeply-seated,  earnest,  but 
unobtrusive  enthusiasm,  which  even  cast  a  shade  of  melancholy 
over  a  face  that  fortune  and  the  heart  had  equally  intended 
should  be  sunny  and  serene.     Serene  it  was,  notwithstanding  • 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  t  b 

the  shadow  that  rested  on  it  seeming  to  soften  and  render  in- 
teresting its  expression,  rather  than  to  disturb  its  tranquillity  or 
to  cloud  its  loveliness. 

On  the  other  side  of  the  noble  matron  walked  Luis  de  Boba- 
dilla,  keeping  a  little  in  advance  of  his  aunt,  in  a  way  to  per- 
mit his  own  dark,  flashing  looks  to  meet,  whenever  feeling  and 
modesty  would  allow  it,  the  fine,  expressive  blue  eyes  of  Mer- 
cedes. The  three  conversed  freely,  for  the  royal  personages 
had  retired  to  their  private  apartments,  and  each  group  of  pas- 
sengers was  so  much  entranced  with  the  novelty  of  its  situation 
and  its  own  conversation,  as  to  disregard  the  remarks  of  others. 

"  This  is  a  marvel,  Luis,"  observed  Dona  Beatriz,  in  contin- 
uation of  a  subject  that  evidently  much  interested  them  all, 
"  that  thou,  a  truant  and  a  rover  thyself,  should  now  have  heard 
for  the  first  time  of  this  Colon  !  It  is  many  years  since  he  has 
been  soliciting  their  Highnesses  for  their  royal  aid  in  effecting 
his  purposes.  The  matter  of  his  schemes  was  solemnly  debated 
before  a  council  at  Salamanca ;  and  he  hath  not  been  without 
believers  at  the  Court  itself." 

"  Among  whom  is  to  be  classed  Dona  Beatriz  de  Cabrera," 
said  Mercedes,  with  that  melancholy  smile  that  had  the  effect 
to  bring  out  glimpses  of  all  the  deep  but  latent  feeling  that  lay 
concealed  beneath  the  surface :  "  I  have  often  heard  Her  High- 
ness declare  that  Colon  hath  no  truer  friend  in  Castile." 

"  Her  Highness  is  seldom  mistaken,  child — and  never  in  my 
heart.  I  do  uphold  the  man  ;  for  to  me  he  seemeth  one  fitted 
for  some  great  and  honorable  undertaking;  and  surely  none 
greater  hath  ever  been  proposed  or  imagined  by  human  mind, 
than  this  he  urgeth.  Think  of  our  becoming  acquainted  with 
the  nations  of  the  other  side  of  the  earth,  and  of  finding  easy 
and  direct  means  of  communicating  with  them,  and  of  impart- 
ing to  them  the  consolations  of  Holy  Church  !" 

"  Ay,  Senora  my  aunt,"  cried  Luis,  laughing,  "and  of  walk- 
ing in  their  delightful  company  with  all  our  heels  in  the  air, 
and  our  heads  downward !  I  hope  this  Colon  hath  not  neg- 
lected to  practice  a  little  in  the  art,  for  it  will  need  some  time  to 


76  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

gain  a  sure  foot,  in  such  circumstances.  He  might  commence 
on  the  sides  of  these  mountains,  by  way  of  a  horn-book,  throw- 
ing the  head  boldly  off  at  a  right-angle  ;  after  which,  the  walls 
and  towers  of  this  Alhambra  would  make  a  very  pretty  gram- 
mar, or  stepping-stone  to  new  progress." 

Mercedes  had  unconsciously  but  fervently  pressed  the  arm  of 
her  guardian,  as  Dona  Beatriz  admitted  her  interest  in  the  suc- 
cess of  the  great  project ;  but  at  this  sally  of  Don  Luis,  she  looked 
serious,  and  threw  a  glance  at  him,  that  he  himself  felt  to  be 
reproachful.  To  win  the  love  of  his  aunt's  ward  was  the  young 
man's  most  ardent  wish ;  and  a  look  of  dissatisfaction  could  at 
any  moment  repress  that  exuberance  of  spirits  which  often  led 
him  into  an  appearance  of  levity  that  did  injustice  to  the  really 
sterling  qualities  of  both  his  heart  and  mind.  Under  the  in- 
fluence of  that  look,  then,  he  was  not  slow  to  repair  the  wrong 
he  had  done  himself,  by  adding  almost  as  soon  as  he  had  ceased 
to  speak — 

"  The  Dona  Mercedes  is  of  the  discovering  party,  too,  I  see ; 
this  Colon  appeareth  to  have  had  more  success  with  the  dames 
of  Castile  than  with  her  nobles" — 

"  Is  it  extraordinary,  Don  Luis,"  interrupted  the  pensive- 
looking  girl,  "that  women  should  have  more  confidence  in 
merit,  more  generous  impulses,  more  zeal  for  God,  than  men  ?" 

"It  must  be  even  so,  since  you  and  my  aunt,  Dona  Beatriz, 
side  with  the  navigator.  But  I  am  not  always  to  be  understood 
in  the  light  I  express  myself;"  Mercedes  now  smiled,  but  this 
time  it  was  archly — "  I  have  never  studied  wTith  the  minstrels, 
nor,  sooth  to  say,  deeply  with  the  churchmen.  To  be  honest 
with  you,  I  have  been  much  struck  with  this  noble  idea ;  and 
if  Senor  Colon  doth,  in  reality,  sail  in  quest  of  Cathay  and  the 
Indies,  I  shall  pray  their  Highnesses  to  let  me  be  one  of  the 
party,  for,  now  that  the  Moor  is  subdued,  there  remaineth  little 
for  a  noble  to  do  in  Spain." 

"If  thou  should'st  really  go  on  this  expedition,"  said  Dona 
Beatriz,  with  grave  irony,  "  there  will,  at  least,  be  one  human 
being  topsy-turvy,  in  the  event  of  thy  reaching  Cathay.     But 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  77 

yonder  is  an  attendant  of  the  court ;  I  doubt  if  Her  Highness 
doth  not  desire  my  presence." 

The  Lady  of  Moya  was  right — the  messenger  coming  to  an 
nounce  to  her  that  the  queen  required  her  attendance.  The 
manners  of  the  day  and  country  rendered  it  unseemly  that  Dona 
Mercedes  should  continue  her  promenade  accompanied  only  by 
Don  Luis,  and  the  marchioness  led  the  way  to  her  own  apart- 
ments, where  a  saloon  suitable  to  her  rank  and  to  her  favor 
with  the  queen,  had  been  selected  for  her  from  among  the 
numberless  gorgeous  rooms  of  the  Moorish  kings.  Even  here, 
the  marchioness  paused  a  moment,  in  thought,  before  she  would 
leave  her  errant  nephew  alone  with  her  ward. 

"  Though  a  rover,  he  is  no  troubadour,  and  cannot  charm  thy 
ear  with  false  rhymes.  It  were  better,  perhaps,  that  I  sent  him 
beneath  thy  balcony,  with  his  guitar ;  but  knowing  so  well  his 
dulness,  I  will  confide  in  it,  and  leave  him  with  thee,  for  the 
few  minutes  that  I  shall  be  absent.  A  cavalier  who  hath  so 
strong  a  dislike  to  reversing  the  order  of  nature,  will  not  surely 
condescend  to  go  on  his  knees,  even  though  it  be  to  win  a 
smile  from  the  sweetest  maiden  in  all  Castile." 

Don  Luis  laughed ;  Dona  Beatriz  smiled,  as  she  kissed  her 
ward,  and  left  the  room ;  while  Dona  Mercedes  blushed,  and 
riveted  her  gaze  on  the  floor.  Luis  de  Bobadilla  was  the  de- 
clared suitor  and  sworn  knight  of  Mercedes  de  Valverde  ;  but, 
though  so  much  favored  by  birth,  fortune,  affinity,  and  figure, 
there  existed  some  serious  impediments  to  his  success.  In  all 
that  was  connected  with  the  considerations  that  usually  decide 
such  things,  the  union  was  desirable ;  but  there  existed,  never- 
theless, a  strong  influence  to  overcome,  in  the  scruples  of  Dona 
Beatriz,  herself.  High-principled,  accustomed  to  the  just- 
minded  views  of  her  royal  mistress,  and  too  proud  to  do  an 
unworthy  act,  the  very  advantages  that  a  marriage  with  her 
ward  offered  to  her  nephew,  had  caused  the  marchioness  to 
hesitate.  Don  Luis  had  little  of  the  Castilian  gravity  of  char- 
acter— and,  by  many,  his  animal  spirits  were  mistaken  for  light- 
ness of  disposition  and  levity  of  thought.  His  mother  was  u 
'4 


7  8  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

woman  of  a  very  illustrious  French  family ;  and  national  pride 
had  induced  most  observers  to  fancy  that  the  son  inherited  a 
constitutional  disposition  to  frivolity,  that  was  to  be  traced  to 
the  besetting  weakness  of  a  whole  people.  A  consciousness  of 
his  being  so  viewed  at  home,  had,  indeed,  driven  the  youth 
abroad ;  and  as,  like  all  observant  travellers,  he  was  made 
doubly  sensible  of  the  defects  of  his  own  state  of  society  on  his 
return,  a  species  of  estrangement  had  grown  up  between  him 
and  his  natural  associates  that  had  urged  the  young  man,  again 
and  again,  to  wander  into  foreign  lands.  Nothing,  indeed,  but 
his  early  and  constantly  increasing  passion  for  Mercedes  had 
induced  him  to  return  ;  a  step  that,  fortunately  for  himself, 
he  had  last  taken  in  time  to  assist  in  the  reduction  of  Granada. 
Notwithstanding  these  traits,  which,  in  a  country  like  Castile, 
might  be  properly  enough  termed  peculiarities,  Don  Luis  de 
Bobadilla  was  a  knight  worthy  of  his  lineage  and  name.  His 
prowess  in  the  field  and  in  the  tourney,  indeed,  was  so  very 
marked  as  to  give  him  a  high  military  character,  in  despite  of 
what  were  deemed  his  failings  ;  and  he  passed  rather  as  an  in- 
considerate and  unsafe  young  man,  than  as  one  who  was  either 
debased  or  wicked.  Martial  qualities,  in  that  age  in  particular, 
redeemed  a  thousand  faults  ;  and  Don  Luis  had  even  been 
known  to  unhorse,  in  the  tourney,  Alonzo  de  Ojeda,  then  the 
most  expert  lance  in  Spain.  Such  a  man  could  not  be  despised, 
though  he  might  be  distrusted.  But  the  feeling  which  governed 
his  aunt,  referred  quite  as  much  to  her  own  character  as  to  his. 
Deeply  conscientious,  while  she  understood  her  nephew's  real 
qualities  much  better  than  mere  superficial  observers,  she  had 
her  doubts  about  the  propriety  of  giving  the  rich  heiress  who 
was  entrusted  to  her  care,  to  so  near  a  relative,  when  all  could 
not  applaud  the  act.  She  feared,  too,  that  her  own  partiality 
might  deceive  her,  and  that  Luis  might  in  truth  be  the  light 
and  frivolous  being  he  sometimes  appeared  to  be  in  Castilian 
eyes,  and  that  the  happiness  of  her  ward  would  prove  the  sacri- 
fice of  the  indiscretion.  With  these  doubts,  then,  while  she 
secretly  desired,  the  union,  she  had  in  public  looked  coldly  on 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  79 

her  nephew's  suit;  and,  though  unable,  without  a  harshness 
that  circumstances  would  not  warrant,  to  prevent  all  intercourse, 
she  had  not  only  taken  frequent  occasions  to  let  Mercedes  un- 
derstand her  distrust,  but  she  had  observed  the  precaution  not 
to  leave  so  handsome  a  suitor,  notwithstanding  he  was  often 
domiciliated  in  her  own  house,  much  alone  with  her  ward. 

The  state  of  Mercedes'  feelings  was  known  only  to  herself. 
She  was  beautiful,  of  an  honorable  family,  and  an  heiress ;  and 
as  human  infirmities  were  as  besetting  beneath  the  stately  mien 
of  the  fifteenth  century  as  they  are  to-day,  she  had  often 
heard  the  supposed  fault3-  of  Don  Luis'  character  sneered  at, 
by  those  who  felt  distrustful  of  his  good  looks  and  his  oppor- 
tunities. Few  young  females  would  have  had  the  courage  to 
betray  any  marked  preference  under  such  circumstances,  until 
prepared  to  avow  their  choice,  and  to  take  sides  with  its  sub- 
ject against  the  world  ;  and  the  quiet  but  deep  enthusiasm  that 
prevailed  in  the  moral  system  of  the  fair  young  Castilian,  was 
tempered  by  a  prudence  that  prevented  her  from  running  into 
most  of  its  lighter  excesses.  The  forms  and  observances  that 
usually  surround  young  women  of  rank,  came  in  aid  of  this 
native  prudence  ;  and  even  Don  Luis  himself,  though  he  had 
watched  the  countenance  and  emotions  of  her  to  whom  he  had 
so  long  urged  his  suit,  with  a  lover's  jealousy  and  a  lover's 
instincts,  was  greatly  in  doubt  whether  he  had  succeeded  in 
the  least  in  touching  her  heart.  By  one  of  those  unlooked-for 
concurrences  of  circumstances  that  so  often  decide  the  for- 
tunes of  men,  whether  as  lovers  or  in  more  worldly-minded 
pursuits,  these  doubts  were  now  about  to  be  unexpectedly  and 
suddenly  removed. 

The  triumph  of  the  Christian  arms,  the  novelty  of  her  situa- 
tion, and  the  excitement  of  the  whole  scene,  had  aroused  the 
feelings  of  Mercedes  from  that  coy  concealment  in  which  they 
usually  lay  smothered  beneath  the  covering  of  maiden  diffi- 
dence ;  and  throughout  the  evening  her  smile  had  been  more 
open,  her  eye  brighter,  and  her  cheeks  more  deeply  flushed, 
than  was  usual  even  with  one  whose  smiles  were  always  sweet, 


80  M.«!.iCEDES     OF      CASTILE. 

whose  eyes  were  never  dull,  and  whose  cheeks  answered  so  sen- 
sitively to  the  varying  impulses  within. 

As  his  aunt  quitted  the  room,  leaving  him  alone  with  Mer- 
cedes for  the  first  time  since  his  return  from  his  last  ramble, 
Don  Luis  eagerly  threw  himself  on  a  stool  that  stood  near  the 
feet  of  his  adored,  who  placed  herself  on  a  sumptuous  couch, 
that,  twenty -four  hours  before,  had  held  the  person  of  a  princess 
of  Abdallah's  family. 

u  Much  as  I  honor  and  reverence  Her  Highness,"  the  young 
man  hurriedly  commenced,  amy  respect  and  veneration  are 
now  increased  ten-fold !  Would  that  she  might  send  for  my 
beloved  aunt  thrice  where  she  now  wants  her  services  only 
once !  and  may  her  presence  become  so  necessary  to  her  sove- 
reign that  the  affairs  of  Castile  cannot  go  on  without  her  coun- 
sel, if  so  blessed  an  opportunity  as  this,  to  tell  you  all  I  feel, 
Doiia  Mercedes,  is  to  follow  her  obedience  !" 

"  It  is  not  they  who  are  most  fluent  of  speech,  or  the  most 
vehement,  who  always  feel  the  deepest,  Don  Luis  de  Boba- 
clilla." 

"  Nor  do  they  feel  the  least.  Mercedes,  thou  canst  not 
doubt  my  love  !  It  hath  grown  with  my  growth — increased 
with  each  increase  of  my  ideas — until  it  hath  got  to  be  so 
interwoven  with  my  mind  itself,  that  I  can  scarce  use  a  faculty 
that  thy  dear  image  doth  not  mingle  with  it.  In  all  that  is 
beautiful,  I  behold  thee  ;  if  I  listen  to  the  song  of  a  bird,  it  is 
thy  carol  to  the  lute  ;  or  if  I  feel  the  gentle  south  wind  from  the 
fragrant  isles  fanning  my  cheek,  I  would  fain  think  it  thy  sigh." 

"  You  have  dwelt  so  much  among  the  light  conceits  of  the 
French  court,  Don  Luis,  you  appear  to  have  forgotten  that  the 
heart  of  a  Castilian  girl  is  too  true,  and  too  sincere,  to  meet 
such  rhapsodies  with  favor." 

Had  Don  Luis  been  older,  or  more  experienced  in  the  sex, 
he  would  have  been  flattered  by  this  rebuke — for  he  would  have 
detected  in  the  speaker's  manner,  both  feeling  of  a  gentler  na- 
ture than  her  words  expressed,  and  a  tender  regret. 

"  If  thou  ascribest  to  me  rhapsodies,  thou  dost  me   great  in- 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  81 

justice.  I  may  not  do  credit  to  my  own  thoughts  and  feelings; 
but  never  hath  my  tongue  uttered  aught  to  thee,  Mercedes, 
that  the  heart  hath  not  honestly  urged.  Have  I  not  loved  thee 
since  thou  and  I  were  children  ?  Did  I  ever  fail  to  show  my 
preference  for  thee  when  we  were  boy  and  girl,  in  all  the  sports 
and  light-hearted  enjoyments  of  that  guileless  period  ?" 

"  Guileless,  truly,"  answered  Mercedes,  her  look  brightening 
as  it  might  be  with  agreeable  fancies  and  a  flood  of  pleasant 
recollections — doing  more,  in  a  single  instant,  to  break  down 
the  barriers  of  her  reserve,  than  years  of  schooling  had  effected 
toward  building  them  up.  "  Thou  wert  then,  at  least,  sin- 
cere, Luis,  and  I  placed  full  faith  in  thy  friendship,  and  in  thy 
desire  to  please." 

"  Bless  thee,  bless  thee,  for  these  precious  words,  Mercedes  ! 
for  the  first  time  in  two  years,  hast  thou  spoken  to  me  as  thou 
wert  wont  to  do,  and  called  me  Luis  without  that  courtly, 
accursed,  Don." 

"  A  noble  Castilian  should  never  regard  his  honors  lightly, 
and  he  oweth  it  to  his  rank  to  see  that  others  respect  them, 
too  ;"  answered  our  heroine,  looking  down,  as  if  she  already 
half  repented  of  the  familiarity.  "  You  are  quick  to  remind 
me  of  my  forgetfulness,  Don  Luis  de  Bobadilla." 

"  This  unlucky  tongue  of  mine  can  never  follow  the  path 
that  its  owner  wisheth  !  Hast  thou  not  seen  in  all  my  looks — 
all  my  acts — all  my  motives — a  desire  to  please  thee,  and  thee 
alone,  lovely  Mercedes  ?  When  Her  Highness  gave  her  royal 
approbation  of  my  success,  in  the  last  tourney,  did  I  not  seek 
thine  eye,  in  order  to  ask  if  thou  notedst  it  ?  Hast  thou  ever 
expressed  a  wish,  that  I  have  not  proved  an  eager  desire  to  see 
it  accomplished  ?" 

"  Nay,  now,  Luis,  thou  emboldenest  me  to  remind  thee  that 
I  expressed  a  wish  that  thou  wouldst  not  go  on  thy  last  voyage 
to  the  north,  and  yet  thou  didst  depart !  I  felt  that  it  would 
displease  Dona  Beatriz  ;  thy  truant  disposition  having  made 
her  uneasy  lest  thou  shouldst  get  altogether  into  the  habits  of 
a  rover,  and  into  disfavor  with  the  queen." 


82  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

"  It  was  for  this  that  thou  madst  the  request,  and  it 
wounded  my  pride  to  think  that  Mercedes  de  Valverde  should 
so  little  understand  my  character,  as  to  believe  it  possible  a 
noble  of  my  name  and  lineage  could  so  far  forget  his  duties  as 
to  sink  into  the  mere  associate  of  pilots  and  adventurers." 

"  Thou  didst  not  know  that  I  believed  this  of  thee." 

"  Hadst  thou  asked  of  me,  Mercedes,  to  remain  for  thy  sake 
—nay,  hadst  thou  imposed  the  heaviest  services  on  me,  as  thy 
knight,  or  as  one  who  enjoyed  the  smallest  degree  of  thy  favor 
— I  would  have  parted  with  life  sooner  than  I  would  have 
parted  from  Castile.  But  not  even  a  look  of  kindness  could  I 
obtain,  in  reward  for  all  the  pain  I  had  felt  on  thy  account" — 

"Pain,  Luis!" 

"Is  it  not  pain  to  love  to  the  degree  that  one  might  kiss  the 
earth  that  received  the  foot-print  of  its  object — and  yet  to  meet 
with  no  encouragement  from  fair  words,  no  friendly  glance  of 
the  eye,  nor  any  sign  or  symbol  to  betoken  that  the  being  one 
hath  enshrined  in  his  heart's  core,  ever  thinketk  of  her  suitor 
except  as  a  reckless  rover  and  a  hair-brained  adventurer  ?" 

"Luis  de  Bobadilla,  no  one  that  really  knoweth  thy  char- 
acter, can  ever  truly  think  thus  of  thee." 

"  A  million  of  thanks  for  these  few  words,  beloved  girl,  and 
ten  millions  for  the  gentle  smile  that  hath  accompanied  them  ! 
Thou  mightst  mould  me  to  all  thy  wishes"  — 

"  My  wishes,  Don  Luis  ?" 

"  To  all  thy  severe  opinions  of  sobriety  and  dignity  of  con- 
duct, would st  thou  but  feel  sufficient  interest  in  me  to  let  me 
know  that  my  acts  can  give  thee  either  pain  or  pleasure." 

"Can  it  be  otherwise?  Could' st  thou,  Luis,  see  with  in- 
difference the  proceedings  of  one  thou  hast  known  from  child  - 
hood,  and  esteemed  as  a  friend  ?" 

"  Esteem  !  Blessed  Mercedes  !  dost  thou  own  even  that  little 
in  my  favor?" 

"  It  is  not  little,  Luis,  to  esteem — but  much.  They  who  prize 
virtue  never  esteem  the  unworthy  ;  and  it  is  not  possible  to 
know  thy  excellent  heart  and  manly  nature,  without  esteeming 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  83 

thee.  Surely  I  have  never  concealed  my  esteem  from  thee  or 
from  any  one  else." 

"  Hast  thou  concealed  aught  ?  Ah  !  Mercedes,  complete  this 
heavenly  condescension,  and  admit  that  one — as  lightly  as  thou 
wilt — but  that  one  soft  sentiment  hath,  at  times,  mingled  with 
this  esteem.'' 

Mercedes  blushed  brightly,  but  she  would  not  make  the 
often-solicited  acknowledgment.  It  was  some  little  time  be- 
fore she  answered  at  all.  When  she  did  speak,  it  was  hesitat- 
ingly, and  with  frequent  pauses,  as  if  she  distrusted  the  pro- 
priety or  the  discretion  of  that  which  she  was  about  to  utter. 

"  Thou  hast  travelled  much  and  far,  Luis,"  she  said ;  "  and  hast 
lost  some  favor  on  account  of  thy  roving  propensities ;  why  not 
regain  the  confidence  of  thy  aunt  by  the  very  means  through 
which  it  has  been  lost  ?" 

"  I  do  not  comprehend  thee.  This  is  singular  counsel  to 
come  from  one  like  thee,  who  art  prudence  itself!" 

"  The  prudent  and  discreet  think  well  of  their  acts  and  words, 
and  are  the  more  to  be  confided  in.  Thou  seemest  to  have 
been  struck  with  these  bold  opinions  of  the  Senor  Colon  ;  and 
while  thou  hast  derided  them,  I  can  see  that  they  have  great 
weight  on  thy  mind." 

"I  shall,  henceforth,  regard  thee  with  tenfold  respect,  Mer- 
cedes ;  for  thou  hast  penetrated  deeper  than  my  foolish  affecta- 
tion of  contempt,  and  all  my  light  language,  and  discovered  the 
real  feeling  that  lieth  underneath.  Ever  since  I  have  heard  of  this 
vast  project,  it  hath,  indeed,  haunted  my  imagination  ;  and  the 
image  of  the  Genoese  hath  constantly  stood  beside  thine,  dear- 
est girl,  before  my  eyes,  if  not  in  my  heart.  I  doubt  if  there  be 
not  some  truth  in  his  opinions  ;  so  noble  an  idea  cannot  be 
wholly  false !" 

The  fine,  full  eye  of  Mercedes  was  fastened  intently  on  the 
countenance  of  Don  Luis ;  and  its  brilliancy  increased  as  some 
of  that  latent  enthusiasm  which  dwelt  within,  kindled  and  be- 
gan to  glow  at  this  outlet  of  the  feelings  of  the  soul. 

"  There  ts"  she  answered,  solemnly — "  there  must  be  truth 


84  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

in  it !  The  Genoese  hatli  been  inspired  of  Heaven,  with 
his  sublime  thoughts,  and  he  will  live,  sooner  or  later,  to 
prove  their  truth.  Imagine  this  earth  fairly  encircled  by  a  ship ; 
the  farthest  east,  the  land  of  the  heathen,  brought  in  close  com- 
munion with  ourselves,  and  the  cross  casting  its  shadows  under 
the  burning  sun  of  Cathay  !  These  are  glorious,  heavenly  an- 
ticipations, Luis,  and  would  it  not  be  an  imperishable  renown, 
to  share  in  the  honor  of -having  aided  in  bringing  about  so  great 
a  discovery  ?" 

"  By  Heaven !  I  will  see  the  Genoese  as  soon  as  the  mor- 
row's sun  shall  appear,  and  offer  to  make  one  in  his  enter- 
prise.    He  shall  not  need  for  gold,  if  that  be  his  only  want." 

"  Thou  speakest  like  a  generous,  noble-minded,  fearless  young 
Castilian,  as  thou  art !"  said  Mercedes,  with  an  enthusiasm  that 
set  at  naught  the  usual  guards  of  her  discretion  and  her  habits, 
"  and  as  becometh  Luis  de  Bobadilla.  But  gold  is  not  plenty 
with  any  of  us  at  this  moment,  and  it  will  surpass  the  power  of 
an  ordinary  subject  to  furnish  that  which  will  be  necessary. 
Nor  is  it  meet  than  any  but  sovereigns  should  send  forth  such 
an  expedition,  as  there  may  be  vast  territories  to  govern  and 
dispose  of,  should  Colon  succeed.  My  powerful  kinsman — the 
Duke  of  Medina  Celi — hath  had  this  matter  in  close  deliberation, 
and  he  viewed  it  favorably,  as  is  shown  by  his  letters  to  Her 
Highness ;  but  even  he  conceived  it  a  matter  too  weighty  to  be 
attempted  by  anght  but  a  crowned  head,  and  he  hath  used 
much  influence  with  our  mistress,  to  gain  her  over  to  the  opin- 
ion of  the  Genoese's  sagacity.  It  is  idle  to  think,  therefore,  of 
aiding  effectually  in  this  noble  enterprise,  unless  it  be  through 
their  Highnesses." 

"  Thou  knowest,  Mercedes,  that  I  can  do  naught  for  Colon, 
with  the  court.  The  king  is  the  enemy  of  all  who  are  not  as 
wary,  cold,  and  as  much  given  to  artifice  as  himself" — 

"  Luis  !  thou  art  in  his  palace — beneath  his  roof,  enjoying  his 
hospitality  and  protection,  at  this  very  moment !" 

"Not  I,"  answered  the  young  man,  with  warmth — "this  is 
the  abode  of  my  royal  mistress,  Dona  Isabella  ;  Granada  being 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  85 

a  conquest  of  Castile,  and  not  of  Aragon.  Touching  the  queen, 
Mercedes,  thou  shalt  never  hear  disrespectful  word  from  me, 
for,  like  thyself,  she  is  all  that  is  virtuous,  gentle,  and  kind  in 
woman  ;  but  the  king  hath  many  of  the  faults  of  us  corrupt 
and  mercenary  men.  Thou  canst  not  tell  me  of  a  young,  gen- 
erous, warm-blooded  cavalier,  even  among  his  own  Aragonese, 
who  truly  and  confidingly  loveth  Don  Fernando  ;  whilst  all  of 
Castile  adore  the  Dona  Isabella." 

"This  may  be  true  in  part;  Luis,  but  it  is  altogether  impru- 
dent. Don  Fernando  is  a  king,  and  I  fear  me,  from  the  little  I 
have  seen  while  dwelling  in  a  court,  that  they  who  manage  the 
affairs  of  mortals  must  make  large  concessions  to  their  failings, 
or  human  depravity  will  thwart  the  wisest  measures  that  can  be 
devised.  Moreover,  can  one  truly  love  the  wife  and  not  esteem 
the  husband  ?  To  me  it  seemeth  that  the  tie  is  so  near  and 
dear  as  to  leave  the  virtues  and  the  charact^s  of  a  common 
identity." 

"  Surely,  thou  dost  not  mean  to  compare  the  modest  piety, 
the  holy  truth,  the  sincere  virtue,  of  our  royal  mistress,  with 
the  cautious,  wily  policy  of  our  scheming  master !" 

"  I  desire  not  to  make  comparisons  between  them,  Luis.  We 
are  bound  to  honor  and  obey  both ;  and  if  Dona  Isabella  hath 
more  of  the  confiding  truth  and  pure-heartedness  of  her  sex, 
than  His  Highness,  is  it  not  ever  so  as  between  man  and 
woman  V 

"  If  I  could  really  think  that  thou  likenest  me,  in  any  way, 
with  that  managing  and  false-faced  King  of  Aragon,  much  as  I 
love  thee,  Mercedes,  I  would  withdraw,  forever,  in  pure  shame." 

"  No  one  will  liken  thee,  Luis,  to  the  false-tongued  or  the 
double-faced  ;  for  it  is  thy  failing  to  speak  truth  when  it  might 
be  better  to  say  nothing,  as  witness  the  present  discourse,  and 
to  look  at  those  who  displease  thee,  as  if  ever  ready  to  point 
thy  lance  and  spur  thy  charger  in  their  very  teeth." 

"My  looks  have  been  most  unfortunate,  fair  Mercedes,  if 
they  have  left  such  memories  in  thee !"  answered  the  youth,  re 
proachfully. 


86  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

'  1 1  speak  not  in  any  manner  touching  myself,  for  to  me,  Luis, 
thou  hast  ever  been  gentle  and  kind,"  interrupted  the  young 
Castilian  girl,  with  a  haste  and  earnestness  that  hurried  the  blood 
to  her  cheeks  a  moment  afterward ;  "  but  solely  that  thou 
mayst  be  more  guarded  in  thy  remarks  on  the  king." 

"  Thou  beganst  by  saying  that  I  was  a  rover" — 

"  Nay,  I  have  used  no  such  term  of  reproach,  Don  Luis ;  thy 
aunt  may  have  said  this,  but  it  could  have  been  with  no  intent 
to  wound.     I  said  that  thou  hadst  travelled  far  and  much" 

"  Well — well — I  merit  the  title,  and  shall  not  complain  of 
my  honors.  Thou  saidst  that  I  had  travelled  far  and  much,  and 
thou  spokest  approvingly  of  the  project  of  this  Genoese.  Am 
I  to  understand,  Mercedes,  it  is  thy  wisji  that  I  should  make  one 
of  the  adventurers  ?" 

"  Such  was  my  meaning,  Luis,  for  I  have  thought  it  an  em- 
prise fitting  thy  daring  mind  and  willing  sword  ;  and  the  glory 
of  success  would  atone  for  a  thousand  trifling  errors,  committed 
under  the  heat  and  inconsideration  of  youth." 

Don  Luis  regarded  the  flushed  cheek  and  brightened  eyes  of 
the  beautiful  enthusiast  nearly  a  minute,  in  silent  but  intense  ob- 
servation ;  for  the  tooth  of  doubt  and  jealousy  had  fastened  on 
him,  and,  with  the  self-distrust  of  true  affection,  he  questioned 
how  far  he  was  worthy  to  interest  so  fair  a  being,  and  had  mis- 
givings concerning  the  motive  that  induced  her  to  wish  him  to 
depart, 

"  I  wish  I  could  read  thy  heart,  Dona  Mercedes,"  he  at 
ength  resumed;  "  for,  while  the  witching  modesty  and  coy 
reserve  of  thy  sex,  serve  but  to  bind  us  so  much  the  closer  in 
thy  chains,  they  puzzle  the  understanding  of  men  more  accus- 
tomed to  rude  encounters  in  the  field  than  to  the  mazes  of  their 
ingenuity.  Dost  thou  desire  me  to  embark  in  an  adventure 
that  most  men,  the  wise  and  prudent  Don  Fernando  at  their 
head — he  whom  thou  so  much  esteemest,  too — look  upon  as 
the  project  of  a  visionary,  and  as  leading  to  certain  destruction? 
Did  I  think  this,  I  would  depart  to-morrow,  if  it  were  only  that 
my  hated  presence  should  never  more  disturb  thy  happiness." 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  87 

"  Don  Luis,  you  have  no  justification  for  this  cruel  suspi- 
cion," said  Mercedes,  endeavoring  to  punish  her  lover's  distrust 
by  an  affectation  of  resentment,  though  the  tears  struggled 
through  her  pride,  and  fell  from  her  reproachful  eyes.  "  You 
know  that  no  one,  here  or  elsewhere,  hateth  you  ;  you  know 
that  you  are  a  general  favorite,  though  Castilian  prudence  and 
Castilian  reserve  may  not  always  view  your  wandering  life  with 
the  same  applause  as  they  give  to  the  more  attentive  courtier 
and  rigidly  observant  knight." 

" Pardon  me,  dearest,  most  beloved  Mercedes;  thy  coldness 
and  aversion  sometime  madden  me." 

"  Coldness!  aversion!  Luis  de  Bobadilla !  When  hath 
Mercedes  de  Valverde  ever  shown  either,  to  thee?'''' 

"  I  fear  that  Doiia  Mercedes  de  Valverde  is,  even  now,  put- 
ting me  to  some  such  proof." 

"Then  thou  little  knowest  her  motives,  and  ill  appreciatest 
her  heart.  No,  Luis,  I  am  not  averse,  and  would  not  appear 
cold,  to  thee.  If  thy  wayward  feelings  get  so  much  the  mastery, 
and  pain  thee  thus,  I  will  strive  to  be  more  plain.  Yes !  rather 
than  thou  shouldst  carry  away  with  thee  the  false  notion,  and 
perhaps  plunge,  again,  into  some  unthinking  sea-adventure,  I 
will  subdue  my  maiden  pride,  and  forget  the  reserve  and  cau- 
tion that  best  become  my  sex  and  rank,  to  relieve  thy  mind. 
In  advising  thee  to  attach  thyself  to  this  Colon,  and  to  enter 
freely  into  his  noble  schemes,  I  had  thine  own  happiness  in 
view,  as  thou  hast,  time  and  again,  sworn  to  me,  thy  happiness 
could  only  be  secured" — 

"Mercedes!  what  meanest  thou  ?  My  happiness  can  only 
be  secured  by  a  union  with  thee !" 

"And  thy  union  with  me  can  only  be  secured  by  thy  en- 
nobling that  besetting  propensity  to  roving,  by  some  act  of 
worthy  renown,  that  shall  justify  Dona  Beatriz  in  bestowing  her 
ward  on  a  truant  nephew,  and  gain  the  favor  of  Dona  Isabella." 

"And  thou! — would  this  adventure  win  thee,  too,  to  view 
me  with  kindness  ?" 

"Luis,  if  thou  wilt  know  all,  I  am  won  already — nay — res- 


88  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

train  this  impetuosity,  and  hear  all  I  have  to  say.  Even  while 
I  confess  so  much  more  than  is  seemly  in  a  maiden,  thou  art 
not  to  suppose  I  can  further  forget  myself.  "Without  the  cheer- 
ful consent  of  my  guardian,  and  the  gracious  approbation  of 
Her  Highness,  I  will  wed  no  man — no,  not  even  thee,  Luis  de 
Bobadilla,  dear  as  I  acknowledge  thee  to  be  to  my  heart" — the 
ungovernable  emotions  of  female  tenderness  caused  the  words 
to  be  nearly  smothered  in  tears — u  would  I  wed,  without  the 
smiles  and  congratulations  of  all  who  have  a  right  to  smile,  or 
weep,  for  any  of  the  house  of  Yalverde.  Thou  and  I  cannot 
marry  like  a  village  hind  and  village  girl ;  it  is  suitable  that  we 
stand  before  a  prelate,  with  a  large  circle  of  approving  friends 
to  grace  our  union.  Ah  !  Luis,  thou  hast  reproached  me  with 
coldness  and  indifference  to  thee" — sobs  nearly  stifled  the 
generous  girl — "  but  others  have  not  been  so  blind — nay,  speak 
not,  but  suffer  me,  now  that  my  heart  is  overflowing,  to  unbur- 
den myself  to  thee,  entirely,  for  I  fear  that  shame  and  regret 
will  come  soon  enough  to  cause  repentance  for  what  I  now  con- 
fess—but all  have  not  been  blind  as  thou.  Our  gracious  queen 
well  understandeth  the  female  heart,  and  that  thou  hast  been 
so  slow  to  discover,  she  hath  long  seen ;  and  her  quickness  of 
eye  and  thought  hath  alone  prevented  me  from  saying  to  thee, 
earlier,  a  part  at  least  of  that  which  I  now  reluctantly  con- 
fess"— 

"  How  !  Is  Dona  Isabella,  too,  my  enemy  ?  Have  I  Her 
Highness'  scruples  to  overcome,  as  well  as  those  of  my  cold- 
hearted  and  prudish  aunt  V 

"Luis,  thy  intemperance  causeth  thee  to  be  unjust.  Dona 
Beatriz  of  Moya  is  neither  cold-hearted  nor  prudish,  but  all  that 
is  the  reverse.  A  more  generous  or  truer  spirit  never  sacrificed 
self  to  friendship,  and  her  very  nature  is  frankness  and  simplici- 
ty. Much  of  that  I  so  love  in  thee,  cometh  of  her  family,  and 
thou  shouldst  not  reproach  her  for  it.  As  for  Her  Highness, 
certes,  it  is  not  needed  that  I  should  proclaim  her  qualities. 
Thou  knowest  that  she  is  deemed  the  mother  of  her  people ; 
that  she  regardeth  the  interests  of  all  equally,  or  so  far  as  her 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  89 

knowledge  will  allow  ;  and  that  what  she  doth  for  any,  is  ever 
done  with  true  affection,  and  a  prudence  that  I  have  heard  the 
cardinal  say,  seemethto  be  inspired  by  infinite  wisdom." 

"Ay,  it  is  not  difficult,  Mercedes,  to  seem  prudent,  and  be- 
nevolent, and  inspired,  with  Castile  for  a  throne,  and  Leon, 
with  other  rich  provinces,  for  a  footstool !" 

"Don  Luis,  if  you  would  retain  my  esteem,"  answered  the 
single-minded  girl,  with  a  gravity  that  had  none  of  her  sex's  weak- 
ness in  it,  though  much  of  her  sex's  truth — "  speak  not  lightly 
of  my  royal  mistress.  Whatever  she  may  have  done  in  this 
matter,  hath  been  done  with  a  mother's  feelings  and  a  mother's 
kindness — thy  injustice  maketh  me  almost  to  apprehend,  with 
a  mother's  wisdom." 

"Forgive  me,  adored,  beloved  Mercedes !  a  thousand  times 
more  adored  and  loved  than  ever,  now  that  thou  hast  been  so 
generous  and  confiding.  But  I  cannot  rest  in  peace  until  I 
know  what  the  queen  hath  said  and  done,  in  any  thing  that 
touch eth  thee  and  me." 

"  Thou  knowest  how  kind  and  gracious  the  queen  hath  ever 
been  to  me,  Luis,  and  how  much  I  have  reason  to  be  grateful 
for  her  many  condescensions  and  favors.  I  know  not  how  it  is, 
but,  while  thy  aunt  hath  never  seemed  to  detect  my  feelings, 
and  all  those  related  to  me  by  blood  have  appeared  to  be  in  the 
same  darkness,  the  royal  eye  hath  penetrated  a  mystery  that,  at 
the  moment,  I  do  think,  was  even  concealed  from  myself.  Thou 
rememberest  the  tourney  that  took  place  just  before  thou  left 
us  on  thy  last  mad  expedition?" 

"Do  I  not?  Was  it  not  thy  coldness  after  my  success 
in  that  tourney,  and  when  I  even  wore  thy  favors,  that  not 
only  drove  me  out  of  Spain,  but  almost  drove  me  out  of  the 
world?" 

"If  the  world  could  impute  thy  acts  to  such  a  cause,  all  ob- 
stacles would  at  once  be  removed,  and  we  might  be  happy  with- 
out further  efforts.  But,"  and  Mercedes  smiled,  archly,  though 
with  great  tenderness  in  her  voice  and  looks,  as  she  added,  "  I 
fear  thou  art  much  addicted  to  these  fits  of  madness,  and  that 


90  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

thou  wilt  never  cease  to  wish  to  be  driven  to  the  uttermost 
limits  of  the  world,  if  not  fairly  out  of  it." 

"  It  is  in  thy  power  to  make  me  as  stationary  as  the  towers 
of  this  Alhambra.  One  such  smile,  daily,  would  chain  me  like 
a  captive  Moor  at  thy  feet,  and  take  away  all  desire  to  look  at 
other  objects  than  thy  beauty.  But  Her  Highness — thou  hast 
forgotten  to  add  what  Her  Highness  hath  said  and  done." 

"  In  that  tourney  thou  wert  conqueror,  Luis!  The  whole 
chivalry  of  Castile  was  in  the  saddle,  that  glorious  day, 
and  yet  none  could  cope  with  thee  !  Even  Alonzo  dc  Ojeda 
was  unhorsed  by  thy  lance,  and  all  mouths  were  filled  with  thy 
praises ;  all  memories — perhaps,  it  would  be  better  to  say  that 
all  memories  but  one — forgot  thy  failings." 

"  And  that  one  was  thine,  cruel  Mercedes." 

"  Thou  knowest  better,  unkind  Louis  !  That  day  I  remem- 
bered nothing  but  thy  noble,  generous  heart,  manly  bearing  in  the 
tilt-yard,  and  excellent  qualities.  The  more  mindful  memory 
was  the  queen's,  who  sent  for  me,  to  her  closet,  when  the  fes- 
tivities were  over,  and  caused  me  to  pass  an  hour  with  her,  in 
gentle,  affectionate  discourse,  before  she  touched  at  all  on  the  real 
object  of  her  command.  She  spoke  to  me,  Luis,  of  our  duties  as 
Christians,  of  our  duties  as  females,  and,  most  of  all,  of  the 
solemn  obligations  that  Ave  contract  in  wedlock,  and  of  the 
many  pains  that,  at  best,  attend  that  honored  condition.  When 
she  had  melted  me  to  tears,  by  an  affection  that  equalled  a 
mother's  love,  she  made  me  promise — and  I  confirmed  it  with  a 
respectful  vow — that  I  would  never  appear  at  the  altar,  while 
she  lived,  without  her  being  present  to  approve  of  my  nuptials  ; 
or,  if  prevented  by  disease  or  duty,  at  least  not  without  a  con- 
sent given  under  her  royal  signature." 

"By  St.  Denis  of  Paris  !  Her  Highness  endeavored  to  in- 
fluence thy  generous  and  pure  mind  against  me  !" 

"  Thy  name  was  not  even  mentioned,  Luis,  nor  would  it 
have  been  in  any  way  concerned  in  the  discourse,  had  not  my 
unbidden  thoughts  turned  anxiously  toward  thee.  "What  Her 
Highness  meditated,  I  do  not  even  now  know,  but  it  was  the 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  91 

manner  in  which  rny  own  sensitive  feelings  brought  up  thy 
image,  that  hath  made  me,  perhaps  idly,  fancy  the  effect  might 
be  to  prevent  me  from  wedding  thee,  without  Dona  Isabella's 
consent.  But,  knowing,  as  I  well  do,  her  maternal  heart  and 
gentle  affections,  how  can  I  doubt  that  she  will  yield  to  my 
wishes,  when  she  knoweth  that  my  choice  is  not  really  un- 
worthy, though  it  may  seem  to  the  severely  prudent  in  some 
measure  indiscreet." 

"  But  thou  thinkest — thou  feelest,  Mercedes,  that  it  was  in 
fear  of  me  that  Her  Highness  extorted  the  vow  J" 

"  I  apprehended  it,  as  I  have  confessed,  with  more  readiness 
than  became  a  maiden's  pride,  because  thou  wert  uppermost  in 
my  mind.  Then  thy  triumphs  throughout  the  day,  and  the  man- 
ner in  which  thy  name  was  in  all  men's  mouths,  might  well  tempt 
the  thoughts  to  dwell  on  thy  person." 

"Mercedes,  thou  canst  not  deny  that  thou  believest  Her 
Highness  extorted  that  vow  in  dread  of  me?" 

"•"I  wish  to  deny  nothing  that  is  true,  Don  Luis;  and  you 
are  early  teaching  me  to  repent  of  the  indiscreet  avowal  I 
have  made.  That  it  was  in  dread  of  you  that  Her  Highness 
spoke,  I  do  deny ;  for  I  cannot  think  she  has  any  such  feelings 
toward  you.  She  was  full  of  maternal  affection  for  me,  and  I 
think,  for  I  will  conceal  naught  that  I  truly  believe,  that  appre- 
hension of  thy  powers  to  please,  Luis,  may  have  induced  her  to 
apprehend  that  an  orphan  girl,  like  myself,  might  possibly  con- 
sult her  fancy  more  than  her  prudence,  and  wed  one  who 
seemed  to  love  the  uttermost  limits  of  the  earth  so  much  better 
than  his  own  noble  castles  and  his  proper  home." 

"  And  thou  meanest  to  respect  this  vow  !" 

"  Luis  !  thou  scarce  reflectest  on  thy  words,  or  a  question  so 
sinful  would  not  be  put  to  me  !  What  Christian  maiden  ever 
forgets  her  vows,  whether  of  pilgrimage,  penitence,  or  perform- 
ance— and  why  should  I  be  the  first  to  incur  this  disgraceful 
guilt  ?  Besides,  had  I  not  vowed,  the  simple  wish  of  the 
queen,  expressed  in  her  own  royal  person,  would  have  been 
enough  to  deter  me  from  wedding  any.     She  is  my  sovereign, 


92  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

mistress,  and,  I  might  almost  say,  mother ;  Doiia  Beatriz  her- 
self scarce  manifesting  greater  interest  in  my  welfare.  Now, 
Luis,  thou  must  listen  to  my  suit,  although  I  see  thou  art  ready  to 
exclaim,  and  protest,  and  invoke ;  but  I  have  heard  thee  patient- 
ly some  years,  and  it  is  now  my  turn  to  speak  and  thine  to 
listen.  I  do  not  think  the  queen  had  thee  in  her  mind  on  the 
occasion  of  that  vow,  which  was  offered  freely  by  me,  rather 
than  extorted,  as  thou  seemest  to  think,  by  Her  Highness.  I 
do,  then,  believe  that  Dona  Isabella  supposed  there  might  be  a 
danger  of  my  yielding  to  thy  suit,  and  that  she  had  apprehen- 
sions that  one  so  much  given  to  roving,  might  not  bring,  or 
keep,  happiness  in  the  bosom  of  a  family.  But,  Luis,  if  ]  Iw 
Highness  hath  not  done  thy  noble,  generous  heart,  justice  ;  jf 
she  hath  been  deceived  by  appearances,  like  most  of  those 
around  her ;  if  she  hath  not  known  thee,  in  short,  is  it  not 
thine  own  fault  ?  Hast  thou  not  been  a  frequent  truant  from 
Castile;  and,  even  when  present,  hast  thou  been  as  attentive 
and  assiduous  in  thy  duties  at  court,  as  becometh  thy  high 
birth  and  admitted  claims  ?  It  is  true,  Her  Highness,  and  all 
others  who  w^ere  present,  witnessed  thy  skill  in  the  tourney, 
and  in  these  wars  thy  name  hath  had  frequent  and  honorable 
mention  for  prowess  against  the  Moor ;  but  while  the  female 
imagination  yields  ready  homage  to  this  manliness,  the  female 
heart  yearneth  for  other,  and  gentler,  and  steadier  virtues,  at 
the  fireside  and  in  the  circle  within.  This,  Dona  Isabella  hath 
seen,  and  felt,  and  knoweth,  happy  as  hath  been  her  own  mar- 
riage with  the  King  of  Aragon  ;  and  is  it  surprising  that  she 
hath  felt  this  concern  for  me  ?  No,  Luis ;  feeling  hath  made 
thee  unjust  to  our  royal  mistress,  whom  it  is  now  manifestly  thy 
interest  to  propitiate,  if  thou  art  sincere  in  thy  avowed  desire 
to  obtain  my  hand." 

"  And  how  is  this  to  be  done,  Mercedes  ?  The  Moor  is  con- 
quered, and  I  know  not  that  any  knight  would  meet  me  to  do 
battle  for  thy  favor.' ' 

"The  queen  wisheth  nothing  of  this  sort — neither  do  I. 
We  both  know  thee  as  an  accomplished  Christian  knight  al- 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  93 

ready,  and,  as  thou  hast  just  said,  there  is  no  one  to  meet  thy 
lance,  for  no  one  hath  met  with  the  encouragement  to  justify 
the  folly.  It  is  through  this  Colon  that  thou  art  to  win  the 
royal  consent." 

"  I  believe  I  have,  in  part,  conceived  thy  meaning ;  but 
would  fain  hear  thee  speak  more  plainly." 

"  Then  I  will  tell  thee  in  words  as  distinct  as  my  tongue  can 
utter  them,"  rejoined  the  ardent  girl,  the  tint  of  tenderness 
gradually  deepening  on  her  cheek  to  the  flush  of  a  holy  enthu- 
siasm, as  she  proceeded :  "  Thou  knowest  already  the  general 
opinions  of  the  Senor  Colon,  and  the  mode  in  which  he  pro- 
poseth  to  effect  his  ends.  I  was  still  a  child  when  he  first 
appeared  in  Castile,  to  urge  the  court  to  embark  in  this  great 
enterprise,  and  I  can  see  that  Her  Highness  hath  often  been 
disposed  to  yield  her  aid,  when  the  coldness  of  Don  Fernando, 
or  the  narrowness  of  her  ministers,  hath  diverted  her  mind  from 
the  object.  I  think  she  yet  regardeth  the  scheme  with  favor ; 
for  it  is  quite  lately  that  Colon,  who  had  taken  leave  of  us  all, 
with  the  intent  to  quit  Spain  and  seek  elsewhere  for  means, 
was  summoned  to  return,  through  the  influence  of  Fray  Juan 
Perez,  the  ancient  confessor  of  Her  Highness.  He  is  now  here, 
as  thou  hast  seen,  waiting  impatiently  for  an  audience,  and  it 
needeth  only  to  quicken  the  queen's  memory,  to  obtain  for  him 
that  favor.  Should  he  get  the  caravels  he  asketh,  no  doubt  many 
of  the  nobles  will  feel  a  desire  to  share  in  an  enterprise  that 
will  confer  lasting  honor  on  all  concerned,  if  successful ;  and 
thou  mightst  make  one." 

"  I  know  not  how  to  regard  this  solicitude,  Mercedes,  for  it 
seemeth  strange  to  wish  to  urge  those  we  affect  to  value,  to 
enter  on  an  expedition  whence  they  may  never  return." 

"  God  will  protect  thee  !"  answered  the  girl,  her  face  glowing 
with  pious  ardour :  "  the  enterprise  will  be  undertaken  for  his 
glory,  and  his  powerful  hand  will  guide  and  shield  the  caravels." 

Don  Luis  de  Bobadilla  smiled,  having  far  less  religious  faith 
and  more  knowledge  of  physical  obstacles  than  his  mistress. 
He  did  full  justice  to  her  motives,  notwithstanding  his  hastily 


94  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

expressed  doubts  ;  and  the  adventure  was  of  a  nature  to  arouse 
his  constitutional  love  of  roving,  and  his  desire  for  encountering 
clangers.  Both  he  and  Mercedes  well  knew  that  he  had  fairlj 
earned  no  small  part  of  that  distrust  of  his  character,  which 
alone  thwarted  their  wishes ;  and,  quick  of  intellect,  he  well 
understood  the  means  and  manner  by  which  he  was  to  gain 
Dona  Isabella's  consent.  The  few  doubts  that  he  really  enter- 
tained were  revealed  by  the  question  that  succeeded. 

"  If  Her  Highness  is  disposed  to  favor  this  Colon,"  he  asked, 
"  why  hath  the  measure  been  so  long  delayed  }' ■ 

"This  Moorish  war,  an  empty  treasury,  and  the  wary  cold- 
ness of  the  king,  have  prevented  it." 

"  Might  not  Her  Highness  look  upon  all  the  followers  of  the 
man,  as  so  many  vain  schemers,  should  we  return  without  suc- 
cess, as  will  most  likely  be  the  case — if,  indeed,  we  ever  re- 
turn?" , 

"  Such  is  not  Dona  Isabella's  character.  She  will  enter  into 
this  project,  in  honor  of  God,  if  she  entereth  into  it  at  all ;  and 
she  will  regard  all  who  accompany  Colon  voluntarily,  as  so 
many  crusaders,  well  entitled  to  her  esteem.  Thou  wilt  not 
return  unsuccessful,  Luis  ;  but  with  such  credit  as  will  cause 
thy  wife  to  glory  in  her  choice,  and  to  be  proud  of  thy  name." 

"  Thou  art  a  most  dear  enthusiast,  beloved  girl !  If  I  could 
take  thee  with  me,  I  would  embark  in  the  adventure,  with  no 
other  companion." 

A  fitting  reply  was  made  to  this  gallant,  and,  at  the  moment, 
certainly  sincere  speech,  after  which  the  matter  was  discussed 
between  the  two,  with  greater  calmness  and  far  more  intelligibly. 
Don  Luis  succeeded  in  restraining  his  impatience ;  and  the 
generous  confidence  with  which  Mercedes  gradually  got  to 
betray  her  interest  in  him,  and  the  sweet,  holy  earnestness  with 
which  she  urged  the  probability  of  success,  brought  him  at 
length  to  view  the  enterprise  as  one  of  lofty  objects,  rather  than 
as  a  scheme  which  flattered  his  love  of  adventure. 

Dona  Beatriz  left  the  lovers  alone  for  quite  two  hours,  the 
queen  requiring  her  presence  all  that  time  ;  and  soon  after  she 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  95 

returned,  her  reckless,  roving,  indiscreet,  but  noble-hearted  and 
manly  nephew,  took  his  leave.  Mercedes  and  her  guardian, 
however,  did  not  retire  until  midnight ;  the  former  laying  open 
her  whole  heart  to  the  marchioness,  and  explaining  all  her 
hopes  as  they  were  connected  with  the  enterprise  of  Colon. 
Dona  Beatriz  was  both  gratified  and  pained  by  this  confession, 
while  she  smiled  at  the  ingenuity  of  love,  in  coupling  the  great 
designs  of  the  Genoese  with  the  gratification  of  its  own  wishes. 
Still  she  was  not  displeased.  Luis  de  Bobadilla  was  the  son  of 
an  only  and  much-beloved  brother,  and  she  had  transferred  to 
her  nephew  most  of  the  affection  she  had  felt  for  the  father. 
All  who  knew  him,  indeed,  were  fond  of  the  handsome  and 
gallant  young  cavalier,  though  the  prudent  felt  compelled  to 
frown  on  his  indiscretions  ;  and  he  might  have  chosen  a  wife, 
at  will,  from  among  the  fair  and  high-born  of  Castile,  with  the 
few  occasional  exceptions  that  denote  the  circumspection  and 
reserve  of  higher  principles  than  common,  and  a  forethought 
that  extends  beyond  the  usual  considerations  of  marriage.  The 
marchioness,  therefore,  was  not  an  unwilling  listener  to  her 
ward  ;  and  ere  they  separated  for  the  night,  the  ingenuous  but 
modest  confessions,  the  earnest  eloquence,  and  the  tendei 
ingenuity,  of  Mercedes,  had  almost  made  a  convert  of  Dona 
Beatriz. 


1*6  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

M  Looke  back,  who  list,  unto  the  former  ages, 
And  call  to  count,  what  is  of  them  become, 
"Where  be  those  learned  wits  and  antique  sages, 
Which  of  all  wisdom  knew  the  perfect  somme  ? 
"Where  those  great  warriors  which  did  overcome 
The  world  with  conquest  of  their  might  and  maine, 
And  made  one  meare  of  th'  earth  and  of  their  raigne." 

Euins  op  Time. 

Two  or  three  days  liad  passed  before  tlie  Christians  began 
to  feel  at  home  in  the  ancient  seat  of  Mahommedan  power.  By 
that  time,  however,  the  Alhambra  and  the  town  got  to  be  more 
regulated  than  they  were  during  the  hurry,  delight,  and  grief, 
of  taking  possession  and  departing ;  and  as  the  politic  and  far 
from  ill-disposed  Ferdinand  had  issued  strict  orders  that  the 
Moors  should  not  only  be  treated  with  kindness,  but  with  deli- 
cacy, the  place  gradually  settled  down  into  tranquillity,  and  men 
began  to  fall  into  their  ancient  habits  and  to  interest  themselves 
in  their  customary  pursuits. 

Don  Fernando  was  much  occupied  with  new  cares,  as  a  mat- 
ter of  course ;  but  his  illustrious  consort,  who  reserved  herself 
for  great  occasions,  exercising  her  ordinary  powers  in  the  quiet, 
gentle  manner  that  became  her  sex  and  native  disposition,  her 
truth  and  piety,  had  already  withdrawn,  as  far  as  her  high  rank 
and  substantial  authority  would  allow,  from  the  pageantry  and 
martial  scenes  of  a  warlike  court,  and  was  seeking,  with  her 
wonted  readiness,  the  haunts  of  private  affection,  and  that 
intercourse  which  is  most  congenial  to  the  softer  affections 
of  a  woman.  Her  surviving  children  were  with  her,  and 
they  occupied  much  of  her  maternal  care ;  but  she  had  also 
many  hours  for  friendship,  and  for  the  indulgence  of  an  affec- 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  97 

tion  that  appeared  to  include  all  her  subjects  within  the  ties  of 
family. 

On  the  morning  of  the  third  day  that  succeeded  the  evening 
of  the  interview  related  in  the  preceding  chapter,  Dona  Isabella 
had  collected  about  her  person  a  few  of  those  privileged  indi- 
viduals who  might  be  said  to  have  the  entree  to  her  more  pri- 
vate hours ;  for  while  that  of  Castile  was  renowned  among 
Christian  courts  for  etiquette,  habits  that  it  had  probably  de- 
rived from  the  stately  oriental  usages  of  its  Mahommedan  neigh- 
bors, the  affectionate  nature  of  the  queen  had  cast  a  halo  around 
her  own  private  circle,  that  at  once  rendered  it  graceful  as  well 
as  delightful  to  all  who  enjoyed  the  high  honor  of  entering  it. 
At  that  day,  churchmen  enjoyed  a  species  of  exclusive  favor, 
mingling  with  all  the  concerns  of  life,  and  not  unfrequently  con- 
trolling them.  While  we  are  quick  to  detect  blemishes  of  this 
sort  among  foreign  nations,  and  are  particularly  prone  to  point 
out  the  evils  that  have  flowed  from  the  meddling  of  the  Romish 
divines,  we  verify  the  truth  of  the  venerable  axiom  that  teaches 
us  how  much  easier  it  is  to  see  the  faults  of  others  than  to  dis- 
cover our  own ;  for  no  people  afford  stronger  evidences  of  the 
existence  of  this  control,  than  the  people  of  the  United  States, 
more  especially  that  portion  of  them  who  dwell  in  places  that 
were  originally  settled  by  religionists,  and  which  still  continue 
under  the  influence  of  the  particular  sects  that  first  prevailed ; 
and  perhaps  the  strongest  national  trait  that  exists  among  us  at 
this  moment — that  of  a  disposition  to  extend  the  control  of  so- 
ciety beyond  the  limits  set  by  the  institutions  and  the  laws, 
under  the  taking  and  plausible  appellation  of  Public  Opinion — 
has  its  origin  in  the  polity  of  churches  of  a  democratic  charac- 
ter, -that  have  aspired  to  be  an  imperium  in  imperio,  confirmed 
and  strengthened  by  their  modes  of  government  and  by  provin 
cial  habits.  Be  the  fact  as  it  may  among  ourselves,  there  is  no 
question  of  the  ascendency  of  the  Catholic  priesthood  through- 
out Christendom,  previously  to  the  reformation ;  and  Isabella 
was  too  sincerely  devout,  too  unostentatiously  pious,  not  to 
allow  them  every  indulgence  that  comported  with  her  own  sense 


98  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

of  right,  and  among  others,  that  of  a  free  access  to  her  pres- 
ence, and  an  influence  on  all  her  measures. 

On  the  occasion  just  named,  among  others  who  were  present 
was  Fernando  de  Talavera,  a  prelate  of  high  station,  who  had 
just  been  named  to  the  new  dignity  of  Archbishop  of  Gran- 
ada, and  the  Fray  Pedro  de  Carrascal,  the  former  teacher  of 
Luis  de  Bobadilla,  an  unbeneficed  divine,  who  owed  his  favor 
to  great  simplicity  of  character,  aided  by  his  high  birth.  Isa- 
bella, herself,  was  seated  at  a  little  table,  where  she  was  em- 
ployed with  her  needle,  the  subject  of  her  toil  being  a  task  as 
homely  as  a  shirt  for  the  king,  it  being  a  part  of  her  womanly 
propensities  to  acquit  herself  of  this  humble  duty,  as  scrupu- 
lously as  if  she  had  been  the  wife  of  a  common  tradesman  of 
her  own  capital.  This  was  one  of  the  habits  of  the  age,  how- 
ever, if  not  a  part  of  the  policy  of  princes  ;  for  most  travellers 
have  seen  the  celebrated  saddle  of  the  Queen  of  Burgundy,  with 
a  place  arranged  for  the  distaff,  that,  when  its  owner  rode  forth, 
she  might  set  an  example  of  thrift  to  her  admiring  subjects ; 
and  with  our  own  eyes,  in  these  luxurious  times,  when  few 
private  ladies  even  condescend  to  touch  any  thing  as  useful  as 
the  garment  that  occupied  the  needle  of  Isabella  of  Castile,  we 
have  seen  a  queen,  seated  amid  her  royal  daughters,  as  diligent- 
ly employed  with  the  needle  as  if  her  livelihood  depended  on 
her  industry.  But  Dona  Isabella  had  no  affectations.  In  feel- 
ings, speech,  nature,  and  acts,  she  was  truth  itself;  and  matri- 
monial tenderness  gave  her  a  deeply  felt  pleasure  in  thus  being 
occupied  for  a  husband  whom  she  tenderly  loved  as  a  man, 
while  it  was  impossible  she  could  entirely  conceal  from  herself 
all  his  faults  as  a  monarch.  Near  her  sat  the  companion  of 
her  girlish  days,  the  long-tried  and  devoted  Beatriz  de  Cabrera. 
Mercedes  occupied  a  stool,  at  the  feet  of  the  Infanta  Isabella, 
while  one  or  two  other  ladies  of  the  household  were  placed  at 
hand,  with  such  slight  distinctions  of  rank  as  denoted  the  pres- 
ence of  royalty,  but  with  a  domestic  freedom  that  made  these 
observances  graceful  without  rendering  them  fatiguing.  The 
king  himself  was  writing  at  a  table,  in   a  distant  corner  of  the 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE  99 

vast  apartment ;  and  no  one,  the  newly-created  archbishop  not 
excepted,  presumed  to  approach  that  side  of  the  room.  The 
discourse  was  conducted  in  a  tone  a  little  lower  than  common ; 
even  the  queen,  whose  voice  was  always  melody,  modulating 
its  tones  in  a  way  not  to  interfere  with  the  train  of  thought  into 
which  her  illustrious  consort  appeared  to  be  profoundly  plunged. 
But,  at  the  precise  moment  that  we  now  desire  to  present  to  the 
reader,  Isabella  had  been  deeply  lost  in  reflection  for  some  time, 
and  a  general  silence  prevailed  in  the  female  circle  around  the 
little  work-tables. 

"  Daughter-Marchioness"  —  for  so  the  queen  usually  ad- 
dressed her  friend — "  Daughter-Marchioness,"  said  Isabella, 
arousing  herself  from  the  long  silence,  "  hath  aught  been  seen 
or  heard  of  late  of  the  Senor  Colon,  the  pilot  who  hath  so  long 
urged  us  on  the  subject  of  this  western  voyage  ?" 

The  quick,  hurried  glance  of  intelligence  and  gratification, 
that  passed  between  Mercedes  and  her  guardian,  betrayed  the 
interest  they  felt  in  this  question,  while  the  latter  answered,  as 
became  her  duty  and  her  respect  for  her  mistress — 

"  You  remember,  Senora,  that  he  was  written  for,  by  Fray 
Juan  Perez,  Your  Highness'  ancient  confessor,  who  journeyed 
all  the  way  from  his  convent  of  Santa  Maria  de  Rabida,  in 
Andalusia,  to  intercede  in  his  behalf,  that  his  great  designs 
might  not  be  lost  to  Castile.' ' 

u  Thou  thinkest  his  designs,  then,  great,  Daughter  Mar- 
chioness ¥' 

"  Can  any  think  them  otherwise,  Senora  ?  They  seem  rea- 
sonable and  natural,  and  if  just,  is  it  not  a  great  and  laudable 
undertaking  to  extend  the  bounds  of  the  church,  and  to  confer 
honor  and  wealth  on  one's  own  country?  My  enthusiastic 
ward,  Mercedes  de  Valverde,  is  so  zealous  in  behalf  of  this 
navigator's  great  project,  that,  next  to  her  duty  to  her  God,  and 
her  duty  to  her  sovereigns,  it  seemeth  to  make  the  great  con- 
cern of  her  life." 

The  queen  turned  a  smiling  face  toward  the  blushing  girl 
who  was  the  subject  of  this  remark,  and  she  gazed  at  her,  for 


100  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

an  instant,  with  the  expression  of  affection  that  was  so  wont  to 
illuminate  her  lovely  countenance  when  dwelling  on  the  features 
of  her  own  daughters. 

"  Dost  thou  acknowledge  this,  Dona  Mercedes  V  she  said  ; 
4 '  hath  Colon  so  convinced  thee,  that  thou  art  thus  zealous  in 
his  behalf?" 

Mercedes  arose,  respectfully,  when  addressed  by  the  queen, 
and  she  advanced  a  step  or  two  nearer  to  the  royal  person  before 
she  made  any  reply. 

"  It  becometh  me  to  speak  modestly,  in  this  presence,"  said 
the  beautiful  girl ;  "  but  I  shall  not  deny  that  I  feel  deep  con- 
cern for  the  success  of  the  Senor  Colon.  The  thought  is  so 
noble,  Senora,  that  it  were  a  pity  it  should  not  be  just." 

"  This  is  the  reasoning  of  the  young  and  generous-minded  ; 
and  I  confess  myself,  Beatrice,  almost  as  childish  as  any,  on  this 
matter,  at  times — Colon,  out  of  question,  is  still  here?" 

"  Indeed  he  is,  Senora,"  answered  Mercedes,  eagerly,  and 
with  a  haste  she  immediately  repented,  for  the  inquiry  was 
not  made  directly  to  herself;  "I  know  of  one  who  hath 
seen  him  as  lately  as  the  day  the  troops  took  possession  of  the 
town." 

1  Who  is  that  person?"  asked  the  queen,  steadily,  but  not 
severely,  her  eye  having  turned  again  to  the  face  of  the  girl, 
with  an  interest  that  continued  to  increase  as  she  gazed. 

Mercedes  now  bitterly  regretted  her  indiscretion,  and,  in  spite 
of  a  mighty  effort  to  repress  her  feelings,  the  tell-tale  blood 
mounted  to  her  temples,  ere  she  could  find  resolution  to  reply. 

"  Don  Luis  de  Bobadilla,  Senora,  the  nephew  of  my  guardian, 
Dona  Beatriz,"  she  at  length  answered ;  for  the  love  of  truth 
was  stronger  in  this  pure- hearted  young  creature,  even,  than 
the  dread  of  shame. 

"  Thou  art  particular,  Seiiorita,"  Isabella  observed  calmly, 
severity  seldom  entering  into  her  communication  with  the  just- 
minded  and  good;  "  Don  Luis  cometh  of  too  illustrious  a 
house  to  need  a  herald  to  proclaim  his  alliances.  It  is  only 
the    obscure   that   the    world    doth   not   trouble    itself  about. 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  101 

Daughter-Marchioness,"  relieving  Mercedes  from  a  state  scarce- 
ly less  painful  than  the  rack,  by  turning  her  eyes  toward  her 
friend,  "  this  nephew  of  thine  is  a  confirmed  rover — but  I  doubt 
if  he  could  be  prevailed  on  to  undertake  an  expedition  like  this 
of  Colon's,  that  hath  in  view  the  glory  of  God  and  the  benefit 
of  the  realm." 

"  Indeed,  Senora" — Mercedes  repressed  her  zeal  by  a  sudden 
and  triumphant  effort. 

"  Thou  wert  about  to  speak,  Dona  Mercedes,"  gravely  ob- 
served the  queen. 

"  I  crave  Your  Highness'  forgiveness.  It  was  improperly, 
as  your  own  words  were  not  addressed  to  me." 

"  This  is  not  the  court  of  the  Queen  of  Castile,  daughter, 
but  the  private  room  of  Isabella  de  Trastamara,"  said  the 
queen,  willing  to  lessen  the  effect  of  what  had  already  passed. 
"Thou  hast  the  blood  of  the  Admiral  of  Castile  in  thy  veins, 
and  art  even  akin  to  our  Lord  the  King.     Speak  freely,  then." 

"  I  know  your  gracious  goodness  to  me,  Senora,  and  had 
nearly  forgotten  myself,  under  its  influence.  All  I  had  to  say 
was,  that  Don  Luis  de  Bobadilla  desireth  exceedingly  that  the 
Senor  Colon  might  get  the  caravels  he  seeketh,  and  that  he 
himself  might  obtain  the  royal  permission  to  make  one  among 
the  adventurers." 

"  Can  this  be  so,  Beatriz  ?" 

"  Luis  is  a  truant,  Senora,  beyond  a  question,  but  it  is  not 
with  ignoble  motives.  I  have  heard  him  ardently  express  his 
desire  to  be  one  of  Colon's  followers,  should  that  person  be  sent 
by  Your  Highness  in  search  of  the  land  of  Cathay." 

Isabella  made  no  reply,  but  she  laid  her  homely  work  in  her 
lap,  and  sat  musing,  in  pensive  silence,  for  several  minutes. 
During  this  interval,  none  near  her  presumed  to  speak,  and  Mer- 
cedes retired,  stealthily,  to  her  stool,  at  the  feet  of  the  Infanta. 
At  length  the  queen  arose,  and,  crossing  the  room,  she  ap- 
proached the  table  where  Don  Fernando  was  still  busily  en- 
gaged with  the  pen.  Here  she  paused  a  moment,  as  if  un- 
willing to  disturb  him ;  but  soon,  laying  a  hand  kindly  on  his 
5 


102  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

shoulder,  she  drew  Iris  attention  to  herself.  The  king,  as  if 
conscious  whence  such  familiarity  could  alone  proceed,  looked 
around  immediately,  and,  rising  from  his  chair,  he  was  the  first 
to  speak. 

"  These  Moriscoes  need  looking  to,"  he  said,  betraying  the 
direction  that  his  thoughts  had  so  early  taken  toward  the  in- 
crease of  his  power — "I  find  we  have  left  Abdallah  many 
strongholds  in  the  Apulxarras,  that  may  make  him  a  trouble- 
some neighbor,  unless  we  can  push  him  across  the  Mediterra- 
nean"— 

"  Of  this,  Fernando,  we  will  converse  on  some  other  oppor- 
tunity," interrupted  the  queen,  whose  pure  mind  disliked  every 
thing  that  even  had  an  approach  to  a  breach  of  faith.  "  It  is 
hard  enough  for  those  who  control  the  affairs  of  men,  always  to 
obey  God  and  their  own  consciences,  without  seeking  occasions 
to  violate  their  faith.  I  have  come  to  thee,  on  another  matter. 
The  hurry  of  the  times,  and  the  magnitude  of  our  affairs,  have 
caused  us  to  overlook  the  promise  given  to  Colon,  the  navi- 
gator"— 

"Still  busied  with  thy  needle,  Isabella,  and  for  my  comfort," 
observed  the  king,  playing  with  the  shirt  that  his  royal  con- 
sort had  unconsciously  brought  in  her  hand ;  "  few  subjects 
have  wives  as  considerate  and  kind  as  thou  !" 

"  Thy  comfort  and  happiness  stand  next  to  my  duty  to  God 
and  the  care  of  my  people,"  returned  Isabella,  gratified  at  the 
notice  the  King  of  Aragon  had  taken  of  this  little  homage  of 
her  sex,  even  while  she  suspected  that  it  came  from  a  wish  to 
parry  the  subject  that  was  then  uppermost  in  her  thoughts. 
"  I  would  do  naught  in  this  important  concern,  without  thy 
fullest  approbation,  if  that  may  be  had ;  and  I  think  it  toucheth 
our  royal  words  to  delay  no  longer.  Seven  years  are  a  most 
cruel  probation,  and,  unless  we  are  active,  we  shall  have  some 
of  the  hot-blooded  young  nobles  of  the  kingdom  undertaking 
the  matter,  as  their  holiday  sports." 

"  Thou  say'st  true,  Senora,  and  we  will  refer  the  subject,  at 
once,  to  Fernando  de  Talavera,  yonder,  who  is  of  approved  dis- 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  103 

cretion,  and  one  to  be  relied  on."  As  the  king  spoke,  he 
beckoned  to  the  individual  named,  who  immediately  approached 
the  royal  pair.  "  Archbishop  of  Granada,''  continued  the  wily 
king,  who  had  as  many  politic  arts  as  a  modern  patriot  intently 
bent  on  his  own  advancement — "  Archbishop  of  Granada,  our 
royal  consort  hath  a  desire  that  this  affair  of  Colon  should  be 
immediately  inquired  into,  and  reported  on  to  ourselves.  It  is 
our  joint  command  that  you,  and  others,  take  the  matter,  before 
the  next  twenty-four  hours  shall  pass,  into  mature  consideration 
and  inquiry,  and  that  you  lay  the  result  before  ourselves.  The 
names  of  your  associates  shall  be  given  to  you  in  the  course  of 
the  day." 

While  the  tongue  of  Ferdinand  was  thus  instructing  the  pre- 
late, the  latter  read  in  the  expression  of  the  monarch's  eye,  and 
in  the  coldness  of  his  countenance,  a  meaning  that  his  quick  and 
practiced  wits  were  not  slow  in  interpreting.  He  signified  his 
dutiful  assent,  however;  received  the  names  of  his  associates  in 
the  commission,  of  whom  Isabella  pointed  out  one  or  two,  and 
then  waited  to  join  in  the  discourse. 

"  This  project  of  Colon's  is  worthy  of  being  more  seriously 
inquired  into,"  resumed  the  king,  when  these  preliminaries 
were  settled,  "and  it  shall  be  our  care  to  see  that  he  hath  all 
consideration.  They  tell  me  the  honest  navigator  is  a  good 
Christian." 

"I  think  him  devotedly  so,  Don  Fernando.  He  hath  a 
purpose,  should  God  prosper  his  present  undertaking,  to  join  in 
a  new  effort  to  regain  the  holy  sepulchre." 

"  TJmph !  Such  designs  may  be  meritorious,  but  ours  is  the 
true  way  to  advance  the  faith — this  conquest  of  our  own.  We 
have  raised  the  cross,  my  wife,  where  the  ensigns  of  infidelity 
were  lately  seen,  and  Granada  is  so  near  Castile  that  it  will  not 
be  difficult  to  maintain  our  altars.  Such,  at  least,  are  the  opin- 
ions of  a  layman — holy  prelate — on  these  matters." 

"And  most  just  and  wise  opinions  are  they,  Senor,"  returned 
the  archbishop.  "  That  which  can  be  retained,  it  is  wisest  to 
seek,  for  we  lose  our  labors  in  gaining  things  that  Providence 


104  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

hath  placed  so  far  beyond  our  control,  that  they  do  not  seem 
designed  for  our  purposes/ ' 

"There  are  those,  my  Lord  Archbishop,"  observed  the 
queen,  "  who  might  argue  against  all  attempts  to  recover  the 
holy  sepulchre,  hearing  opinions  like  these,  from  so  high  au- 
thority !" 

"Then,  Seiiora,  they  would  misconceive  that  authority,"  the 
politic  prelate  hurriedly  replied.  "  It  is  well  ftr  all  Christendom, 
to  drive  the  Infidels  from  the  Holy  Land ;  but  for  Castile  it  is 
better  to  dispossess  them  of  Granada.  The  distinction  is  a  very 
plain  one,  as  every  sound  casuist  must  admit." 

"This  truth  is  as  evident  to  our  reason,"  added  Ferdinand, 
casting  a  look  of  calm  exultation  out  at  a  window,  ' *  as  that 
yonder  towers  were  once  Abdallah's,  and  that  they  are  now  our 
own  !" 

"Better  for  Castile!"  repeated  Isabella,  in  the  tones  of  one 
who  mused.  "  For  her  worldly  power  better,  perhaps,  but  not 
better  for  the  souls  of  those  who  achieve  the  deed — surely,  not 
better  for  the  glory  of  God  !" 

"  My  much-honored  wife,  and  beloved  consort" — said  the 
king. 

"  Senora" — added  the  prelate. 

But  Isabella  walked  slowly  away,  pondering  on  principles, 
while  the  eyes  of  the  two  worldings  she  left  behind  her,  met, 
with  the  sort  of  free-masonry  that  is  in  much  request  among 
those  who  are  too  apt  to  substitute  the  expedient  for  the  right. 
The  queen  did  not  return  to  her  seat,  but  she  walked  up  and 
down  that  part  of  the  room  which,  the  archbishop  had  left 
vacant  when  he  approached  herself  and  her  husband.  Here 
she  remained  alone  for  several  minutes,  even  Ferdinand  hold- 
ing her  in  too  much  reverence  to  presume  to  disturb  her 
meditations,  uninvited.  The  queen  several  times  cast  glances 
at  Mercedes,  and,  at  length,  she  commanded  her  to  draw  near. 

"  Daughter,"  said  Isabella,  who  frequently  addressed  those 
she  loved  by  this  endearing  term,  "  thou  hast  not  forgotten  thy 
freely-offered  vow?" 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  105 

"Next  to  my  duty^to  God,  Senora,  I  most  consider  my  duty 
to  my  sovereign." 

Mercedes  spoke  firmly,  and  in  those  tones  that  seldom  de- 
ceive. |  Isabella  riveted  her  eyes  on  the  pale  features  of  the 
beautiful  girl,  and  when  the  words  just  quoted  were  uttered,  a 
tender  mother  could  not  have  regarded  a  beloved  child  with 
stronger  proofs  of  affection. 

"  Thy  duty  to  God  overshadoweth  all  other  feelings,  daugh- 
ter, as  is  just,"  answered  the  queen  ;  "  thy  duty  to  me  is  sec- 
ondary and  inferior.  Still,  thou  and  all  others,  owe  a  solemn 
duty  to  your  sovereign,  and  I  should  be  unfit  for  the  high  trust 
that  I  have  received  from  Providence,  did  I  permit  any  of  these 
obligations  to  lessen.  It  is  not  I  that  reign  in  Castile,  but 
Providence,  through  its  humble  and  unworthy  instrument.  My 
people  are  my  children,  and  I  often  pray  that  I  may  have  heart 
enough  to  hold  them  all.  If  princes  are  sometimes  obliged  to 
frown  on  the  unworthy,  it  is  but  in  humble  and  distant  imita- 
tion of  that  Power  which  cannot  smile  on  evil." 

"  I  hope,  Senora,"  said  the  girl,  timidly,  observing  that  the 
queen  paused,  "I  have  not  been  so  unfortunate  as  to  displease 
you  ;  a  frown  from  Your  Highness  would  indeed  be  a  calamity!" 

"  Thou  ?  No,  daughter ;  I  would  that  all  the  maidens  of 
Castile,  noble  and  simple,  were  of  thy  truth,  and  modesty,  and 
obedience.  But  we  cannot  permit  thee  to  become  the  victim 
of  the  senses.  Thou  art  too  well  taught,  Dona  Mercedes,  not 
to  distinguish  between  that  which  is  brilliant  and  that  which  is 
truly  virtuous" — 

"  Senora!"  cried  Mercedes,  eagerly — then  checking  herself, 
immediately,  for  she  felt  it  was  a  disrespect  to  interrupt  her 
sovereign. 

"1  listen  to  what  thou  wouldst  say,  daughter,"  Isabella  an- 
swered, after  pausing  for  the  frightened  girl  to  continue.  "Speak 
freely;  thou  addressest  a  parent." 

"I  was  about  to  say,  Senora,  that  if  all  that  is  brilliant  is 
not  virtuous,  neither  is  all  that  is  unpleasant  to  the  sight,  or 
what  prudence  might  condemn,  actually  vicious." 


106  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

"  I  understand  thee,  Senorita,  and  the^remark  hath  truth  in 
it.  Now,  let  us  speak  of  other  things.  Thou  appearest  to  be 
friendly  to  the  designs  of  this  navigator,  Colon  ?" 

"  The  opinion  of  one  untaught  and  youthful  as  I,  can  have 
little  weight  with  the  Queen  of  Castile,  who  can  ask  counsel  of 
prelates  and  learned  churchmen,  besides  consulting  her  own 
wisdom ;"  Mercedes  modestly  answered. 

"But  thou  thinkest  well  of  his  project;  or  have  I  mistaken 
thy  meaning?" 

"  No,  Seiiora,  I  do  think  well  of  Colon's  scheme ;  for  to  me 
it  seemeth  of  that  nobleness  and  grandeur  that  Providence 
would  favor,  for  the  good  of  man  and  the  advancement  of  the 
church." 

"  And  thou  believest  that  nobles  and  cavaliers  can  be  found 
willing  to  embark  with  this  obscure  Genoese,  in  his  bold  under- 
taking p 

The  queen  felt  the  hand  that  she  affectionately  held  in  both 
her  own,  tremble,  and  when  she  looked  at  her  companion  she 
perceived  that  her  face  was  crimsoned  and  her  eyes  lowered. 
But  the  generous  girl  thought  the  moment  critical  for  the  for- 
tunes of  her  lover,  and  she  rallied  all  her  energies  in  order  to 
serve  his  interests. 

"  Senora,  I  do,"  she  answered,  with  a  steadiness  that  both 
surprised  and  pleased  the  queen,  who  entered  into  and  apprecia- 
ted all  her  feelings ;  "  I  think  Don  Luis  de  Bobadilla  will  em- 
bark with  him  ;  since  his  aunt  hath  conversed  freely  with  him 
on  the  nature  and  magnitude  of  the  enterprise,  his  mind  dwell- 
eth  on  little  else.  He  would  be  willing  to  furnish  gold  for  the 
occasion,  could  his  guardians  be  made  to  consent." 

"  Which  any  guardian  would  be  very  wrong  to  do.  We 
may  deal  freely  with  our  own,  but  it  is  forbidden  to  jeopard  the 
goods  of  another.  If  Don  Luis  de  Bobadilla  persevere  in  this 
intention,  and  act  up  to  his  professions,  I  shall  think  more  fa- 
vorably of  his  character  than  circumstances  have  hitherto  led 
me  to  do." 

"Senora!" 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 


107 


"Hear  me,  daughter;  we  cannot  now  converse  longer  on 
this  point,-  the  council  waiting  my  presence,  and  the  king  hav- 
ing already  left  us.  Thy  guardian  and  I  will  confer  together, 
and  thou  shalt  not  be  kept  in  undue  suspense ;  but  Mercedes 
de  Valverde" — 

"  My  Lady  the  Queen"— 

"  Remember  thy  vow,  daughter.  It  was  freely  given,  and 
must  not  be  hastily  forgotten." 

Isabella  now  kissed  the  pale  cheek  of  the  girl  and  withdrew, 
followed  by  all  the  ladies ;  leaving  the  half-pleased  and  yet  half- 
terrified  Mercedes  standing  in  the  centre  of  the  vast  apartment, 
resembling  a  beautiful  statue  of  Doubt. 


108  MERCEDES      OF     CASTILE. 


CHAPTER    VII. 

•*  lie  that  of  such  a  height  hath  built  his  mind, 
And  reared  the  dwelling  of  his  thoughts  so  strong 
As  neither  fear  nor  hope  can  shake  the  frame 
Of  his  resolved  powers.,, 

Daniel. 

The  following  day  the  Alhambra  was  crowded  with  courtiers 
as  usual ;  applicants  for  favors,  those  who  sought  their  own, 
and  those  who  solicited  the  redress  of  imaginary  wrongs.  The 
antechambers  were  thronged,  and  the  different  individuals  in 
waiting  jealously  eyed  each  other,  as  if  to  inquire  how  far  their 
neighbors  would  be  likely  to  thwart  their  several  views  or  to 
advance  their  wishes.  Men  bowed,  in  general,  coldly  and  with 
distrust ;  and  the  few  that  did  directly  pass  their  greetings,  met 
with  the  elaborated  civility  that  commonly  characterizes  the  in- 
tercourse of  palaces. 

While  curiosity  was  active  in  guessing  at  the  business  of  the 
different  individuals  present,  and  whispers,  nods,  shrugs  of  the 
shoulders,  and  meaning  glances,  passed  among  the  old  stagers, 
as  they  communicated  to  each  other  the  little  they  knew,  or 
thought  they  knew,  on  different  subjects,  there  stood  in  the 
corner  of  the  principal  apartment,  one  in  particular,  who  might 
be  distinguished  from  all  around  him,  by  his  stature,  the  gravity 
and  dignity  of  his  air,  and  the  peculiar  sort  of  notice  that  he 
attracted.  Few  approached  him,  and  they  that  did,  as  they 
turned  their  backs,  cast  those  glances  of  self-sufficiency  and 
ridicule  about  them,  that  characterize  the  vulgar-minded  when 
they  fancy  that  they  are  deriding  or  sneering  in  consonance  with 
popular  opinion.  This  was  Columbus,  who  was  very  generally 
regarded  by  the  multitude  as  a  visionary  schemer,  and  whc 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  109 

necessarily  shared  in  that  sort  of  contemptuous  obloquy  that 
attaches  itself  to  the  character.  But  even  the  wit  and  jokes  of 
the  crowd  had  been  expended  upon  this  subject,  and  the  pa- 
tience of  those  who  danced  attendance  was  getting  to  be  ex- 
hausted, when  a  little  stir  at  the  door  announced  the  approach 
of  some  new  courtier.  The  manner  in  which  the  throng 
quickly  gave  way,  denoted  the  presence  of  some  one  of  high 
rank,  and  presently  Don  Luis  cle  Bobadilla  stood  in  the  centre 
of  the  room. 

"It  is  the  nephew  of  Her  Highness'  favorite,"  whispered 
one. 

"A  noble  of  one  of  the  most  illustrious  families  of  Castile," 
said  another;  "but  a  fitting  associate  of  this  Colon,  as  neither 
the  authority  of  his  guardians,  the  wishes  of  the  queen,  nor  his 
high  station,  can  keep  him  from  the  life  of  a  vagabond." 

"  One  of  the  best  lances  in  Spain,  if  he  had  the  prudence 
and  wisdom  to  turn  his  skill  to  profit,"  observed  a  third. 

"  That  is  the  youthful  knight  who  hath  so  well  deported 
himself  in  this  last  campaign,"  growled  an  inferior  officer  of  the 
infantry,  "  and  who  unhorsed  Don  Alonso  de  Ojeda  in  the 
tourney ;  but  his  lance  is  as  unsteady  in  its  aim,  as  it  is  good 
in  the  rest.     They  tell  me  he  is  a  rover." 

As  if  purposely  to  justify  this  character,  Luis  looked  about 
him  anxiously  a  moment,  and  then  made  his  way  directly  to 
the  side  of  Colon.  The  smiles,  nods,  shrugs,  and  half-suppressed 
whispers  that  followed,  betrayed  the  common  feeling;  but  a 
door  on  the  side  of  the  closet  opening,  all  eyes  were  imme- 
diately bent  in  that  direction,  and  the  little  interruption  just 
mentioned  was  as  soon  forgotten. 

"I  greet  you,  Senor,"  said  Luis,  bowing  respectfully  to 
Columbus.  u  Since  our  discourse  of  last  evening  I  have 
thought  of  little  aesides  its  subject,  and  have  come  hither  to 
renew  it." 

That  Columbus  was  pleased  by  this  homage,  appeared  in  his 
eye,  his  smile,  and  the  manner  in  which  he  raised  his  body,  as 
if  full  of  the  grandeur  of  his  own  designs;  but  he  was  compelled 


110  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

to  defer  the  pleasure  that  it  always  gave  him  to  dilate  on  his 
enterprise. 

"  I  am  commanded  hither,  noble  Seiior,"  he  answered,  cor- 
dially, "by  the  holy  Archbishop  of  Granada,  who,  it  seemeth, 
hath  it  in  charge  from  their  Highnesses,  to  bring  my  affair  to 
a  speedy  issue,  and  who  hath  named  this  very  morning  for  that 
purpose.  We  touch  upon  the  verge  of  great  events :  the  day 
is  not  distant,  when  this  conquest  of  Granada  will  be  forgotten, 
in  the  greater  importance  of  the  mighty  things  that  God  hath 
held  in  reserve  !" 

"  By  San  Pedro,  my  new  patron  !  I  do  believe  you,  Seiior. 
Cathay  must  lie  at  or  near  the  spot  you  have  named,  and  your 
own  eyes  shall  not  see  it,  and  its  gorgeous  stories  of  wealth, 
sooner  than  mine.  Kemember  Pedro  de  Munos,  I  pray  you, 
Seiior  Colon. " 

"  He  shall  not  be  forgotten,  I  promise  you,  young  lord  ;  and 
all  the  great  deeds  of  your  ancestors  will  be  eclipsed  by  the 
glory  achieved  by  their  son.  But  I  hear  my  name  called  ;  we 
will  talk  of  this  anon." 

"  El  Seiior  Christoval  Colon  !"  was  called  by  one  of  the 
pages,  in  a  loud  authoritative  voice,  and  the  navigator  hurried 
forward,  buoyed  up  with  hope  and  joy. 

The  manner  in  which  one  so  generally  regarded  with  indif- 
ference, if  not  with  contempt,  had  been  selected  from  all  that 
crowd  of  courtiers,  excited  some  surprise  ;  but  as  the  ordinary 
business  of  the  antechamber  went  on,  and  the  subordinates  of 
office  soon  appeared  in  the  rooms,  to  hear  solicitations  and  an- 
swer questions,  the  affair  was  quickly  forgotten.  Luis  with- 
drew disappointed,  for  he  had  hoped  to  enjoy  another  long 
discourse  with  Columbus,  on  a  subject  which,  as  it  was  con- 
nected with  his  dearest  hopes,  now  occupied  most  of  his 
thoughts.  We  shall  leave  him,  however,  and  all  in  the  ante- 
chambers, to  follow  the  great  navigator  further  into  the  depths 
of  the  palace. 

Fernando  dc  Talavera  had  not  been  unmindful  of  his  orders. 
Instead,  however,  of  associating  with  this  prelate,  men  known  to 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  Ill 

be  well  disposed  to  listen  to  the  propositions  of  Columbus,  the 
king  and  queen  bad  made  the  mistake  of  choosing  some  six  or 
eight  of  their  courtiers,  persons  of  probity  and  of  good  general 
characters,  but  who  were  too  little  accustomed  to  learned 
research,  properly  to  appreciate  the  magnitude  of  the  proposed 
discoveries.  Into  the  presence  of  these  distinguished  nobles 
and  churchmen  was  Columbus  now  ushered,  and  among  them 
is  the  reader  to  suppose  him  seated.  We  pass  over  the  custom- 
ary ceremonies  of  the  introduction,  and  proceed  at  once  to 
the  material  part  of  the  narrative.  The  Archbishop  of  Granada 
was  the  principal  speaker  on  the  part  of  the  commissioners. 

"We  understand,  Setior  Colon,"  continued  the  prelate, 
"  should  you  be  favored  by  their  Highnesses'  power  and  au- 
thority, that  you  propose  to  undertake  a  voyage  into  the  un- 
known  Atlantic,  in  quest  of  the  land  of  Cathay  and  the  celebra- 
ted island  of  Cipango  ?" 

"  That  is  my  design,  holy  and  illustrious  prelate.  The 
matter  hath  been  so  often  up  between  the  agents  of  the  two 
sovereigns  and  myself,  that  there  is  little  occasion  to  enlarge  on 
my  views." 

"  These  were  fully  discussed  at  Salamanca,  of  a  verity,  where 
many  learned  churchmen  were  of  your  way  of  thinking,  Senor, 
though  more  were  against  it.  Our  Lord  the  King,  and  our 
Lady  the  Queen,  howrever,  are  disposed  to  view  the  matter 
favorably,  and  this  commission  hath  been  commanded  that  we 
might  arrange  all  previous  principles,  and  determine  the  rights 
o£  the  respective  parties.  What  force  in  vessels  and  equipments 
do  you  demand,  in  order  to  achieve  the  great  objects  you  ex- 
pect, under  the  blessing  of  God,  to  accomplish  W 

"  You  have  well  spoken,  Lord  Archbishop ;  it  will  be  by  the 
blessing  of  God,  and  under  his  especial  care,  that  all  will  be 
done,  for  his  glory  and  worship  are  involved  in  the  success. 
With  so  good  an  ally  on  my  side,  little  worldly  means  will  be 
necessary.  Two  caravels  of  light  burden  are  all  I  ask,  with  the 
flag  of  the  sovereigns,  and  a  sufficiency  of  mariners. " 

The    comissioners   turned  toward   each    other   in   surprise, 


112  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

and  while  some  saw  in  the  moderate  request  the  enthusiastic 
heedlessness  of  a  visionary,  others  detected  the  steady  reliance 
of  faith. 

"  That  is  not  asking  much,  truly,"  observed  the  prelate,  who 
was  among  the  first ;  "  and,  though  these  wars  have  left  us  of 
Castile  with  an  exhausted  treasury,  we  could  compass  that  little 
without  the  aid  of  a  miracle.  The  caravels  might  be  found, 
and  the  mariners  levied,  but  there  are  weighty  points  to  deter- 
mine before  we  reach  that  concession.  You  expect,  Senor, 
to  be  intrusted  with  the  command  of  the  expedition,  in  your 
own  person  ?" 

"  Without  that  confidence  I  could  not  be  answerable  for 
success.  I  ask  the  full  and  complete  authority  of  an  admiral, 
or  a  sea-commander,  of  their  Highnesses.  The  force  em- 
ployed will  be  trifling  in  appearance,  but  the  risks  will  be  great, 
and  the  power  of  the  two  crowns  must  completely  sustain  that 
of  him  on  whose  shoulders  will  rest  the  entire  weight  of  the 
responsibility." 

"This  is  but  just,  and  none  will  gainsay  it.  But,  Senor, 
have  you  thought  maturely  on  the  advantages  that  are  to 
accrue  to  the  sovereigns,  should  they  sustain  you  in  this  under- 
taking?" 

"  Lord  Archbishop,  for  eighteen  years  hath  this  subject  oc- 
cupied my  thoughts,  and  employed  my  studies,  both  by  day 
and  by  night.  In  the  whole  of  that  long  period  have  I  done 
little  that  hath  not  had  a  direct  bearing  on  the  success  of  this 
mighty  enterprise.  The  advantages  to  all  concerned,  that  will 
flow  from  it,  have,  therefore,  scarce  been  forgotten." 

"  Name  them,  Senor." 

"  First,  then,  as  is  due  to  his  all-seeing  and  omnipotent 
protection,  glory  will  be  given  to  the  Almighty,  by  the  spread- 
ing of  his  church  and  the  increase  of  his  worshippers."  Fer- 
nando de  Talavera  and  all  the  churchmen  present  piously 
crossed  themselves,  an  act  in  which  Columbus  himself  joined. 
"  Their  Highnesses,  as  is  meet,  will  reap  the  next  advantages, 
in  the  extension  of  their  empire  and  in  the  increase  of  their 


MERCEDES      GF      CASTILE.  113 

subjects.  Wealth  will  flow  in  upon  Castile  and  Aragon,  in  a 
rapid  stream,  His  Holiness  freely  granting  to  Christian  monarchs 
the  thrones  and  territories  of  all  infidel  princes  whose  posses- 
sions may  be  discovered,  or  people  converted  to  the  faith, 
through  their  means." 

"  This  is  plausible,  Seilor,"  returned  the  prelate,  "  and 
founded  on  just  principles.  His  Holiness  certainly  is  entrusted 
with  that  power,  and  hath  been  known  to  use  it,  for  the  glory 
of  God.  You  doubtless  know,  Seiior  Colon,  that  Don  John  of 
Portugal  hath  paid  great  attention  to  these  matters  already, 
and  that  he  and  his  predecessors  have  probably  pushed  dis- 
covery to  the  verge  of  its  final  limits.  His  enterprise  hath 
also  obtained  from  Kome  certain  privileges  that  may  not  be 
meddled  with/' 

u  I  am  not  ignorant  of  the  Portuguese  enterprise,  holy  pre- 
late, nor  of  the  spirit  with  which  Don  John  hath  exercised  his 
power.  His  vessels  voyage  along  the  western  shore  of  Africa, 
and  in  a  direction  altogether  different  from  that  I  propose  to 
take.  My  purpose  is  to  launch  forth,  at  once,  into  the  broad 
Atlantic,  and  by  following  the  sun  toward  his  place  of  evening 
retirement,  reach  the  eastern  bounds  of  the  Indies,  by  a  road 
that  will  lessen  the  journey  many  months." 

Although  the  archbishop  and  most  of  his  coadjutors  belonged 
to  the  numerous  class  of  those  who  regarded  Columbus  as  a 
brain -heated  visionary,  the  earnest,  but  lofty  dignity,  with  which 
he  thus  simply  touched  upon  his  projects ;  the  manner  in 
which  he  quietly  smoothed  down  his  white  locks,  when  he  had 
spoken;  and  the  enthusiasm  that  never  failed  to  kindle  in  his 
eye,  as  he  dwelt  on  his  noble  designs,  produced  a  deep  im- 
pression on  all  present,  and  there  was  a  moment  when  the 
general  feeling  was  to  aid  him  to  the  extent  of  the  common 
means.  It  was  a  singular  and  peculiar  proof  of  the  existence 
of  this  transient  feeling  that  one  of  the  commissioners  imme- 
diately inquired — 

' 'Do  you  propose,  Senor  Colon,  to  seek  the  court  of  Prestor 
John*" 


114  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

"  I  know  not,  noble  Senor,  that  such  a  potentate  hath  even 
an  existence,"  answered  Columbus,  whose  notions  had  got  the 
fixed  and  philosophical  bias  that  is  derived  from  science,  and 
who  entered  little  into  the  popular  fallacies  of  the  day,  though 
necessarily  subject  to  much  of  the  ignorance  of  the  age ;  "  I 
find  nothing  to  establish  the  truth  of  there  being  such  a 
monarch  at  all,  or  such  territories." 

This  admission  did  not  help  the  navigator's  cause ;  for  to 
affirm  that  the  earth  was  a  sphere,  and  that  Prestor  John  was 
a  creature  of  the  imagination,  was  abandoning  the  marvellous 
to  fall  back  on  demonstration  and  probabilities — a  course  that 
the  human  mind,  in  its  uncultivated  condition,  is  not  fond  of 
taking. 

"  There  are  men  who  will  be  willing  to  put  faith  in  the 
truth  of  Prestor  John's  power  and  territories,"  interrupted  one 
of  the  commissioners,  who  was  indebted  to  his  present  situa- 
tion purely  to  King  Ferdinand's  policy,  "  who  will  flatly  deny 
that  the  earth  is  round ;  since  we  all  know  that  there  are 
kings,  and  territories,  and  Christians,  while  we  see  that  the 
earth  and  the  ocean  are  plains." 

This  opinion  was  received  with  an  assenting  smile  by  most 
present,  though  Fernando  de  Talavera  had  doubts  of  its  justice. 

"  Senor,"  answered  Columbus,  mildly,  "if  all  in  this  world 
was  in  truth  what  it  seemeth,  confessions  would  be  little 
needed,  and  penance  would  be  much  lighter." 

"I  esteem  you  a  good  Christian,  Senor  Colon,"  observed  tho. 
archbishop,  sharply. 

"  I  am  such  as  the  grace  of  God  and  a  weak  nature  have 
made  me,  Lord  Archbishop  ;  though  I  humbly  trust  that  when  I 
shall  have  achieved  this  great  end,  that  I  may  be  deemed  more 
worthy  of  the  divine  protection,  as  well  as  of  the  divine  favor." 

"  It  hath  been  said  that  thou  deemest  thyself  especially  set 
apart  by  Providence  for  this  work." 

"  I  feel  that  within  me,  holy  prelate,  that  encourageth  such 
a  hope ;  but  I  build  naught  on  mysteries  that  exceed  my  com- 
prehension." 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  115 

It  would  be  difficult  to  say  whether  Columbus  lost  or  gained 
in  the  opinions  of  his  auditors,  by  this  answer.  The  religious 
feeling  of  the  age  was  in  perfect  consonance  with  the  sentiment ; 
but,  to  the  churchmen  present,  it  seemed  arrogant  in  a  humble 
and  unknown  layman,  even  to  believe  it  possible  that  he  could 
be  the  chosen  vessel,  when  so  many  who  appeared  to  have 
higher  claims  were  rejected.  Still  no  expression  of  this  feeling 
was  permitted,  for  it  was  then,  as  it  is  now — he  who  seemed  to 
rely  on  the  power  of  God,  carrying  with  him  a  weight  and  an 
influence  that  ordinarily  checked  rebukes. 

"  You  propose  to  endeavor  to  reach  Cathay  by  means  of  sail- 
ing forth  into  the  broad  Atlantic,"  resumed  the  archbishop, 
"  and  yet  yon  deny  the  existence  of  Prestor  John." 

"  Your  pardon,  holy  prelate — I  do  propose  to  reach  Cathay 
and  Cipango  in  the  mode  you  mention,  but  I  do  not  absolutely 
deny  the  existence  of  the  monarch  you  have  named.  For  the 
probability  of  the  success  of  my  enterprise,  I  have  already  pro- 
duced my  proofs  and  reasons,  which  have  satisfied  many  learned 
churchmen;  but  evidence  is  wanting  to  establish  the  last." 

"  And  yet  Giovanni  di  Montecorvino,  a  pious  bishop  of  our 
holy  church,  is  said  to  have  converted  such  a  prince  to  the  true 
faith,  nearly  two  centuries  since." 

"  The  power  of  God  can  do  any  thing,  Lord  Archbishop,  and 
I  am  not  one  to  question  the  merits  of  his  chosen  ministers. 
All  I  can  answer  on  this  point  is,  to  say  that  I  find  no  scientific 
or  plausible  reasons  to  justify  me  in  pursuing  what  may  prove 
to  be  as  deceptive  as  the  light  which  recedes  before  the  hand 
that  would  touch  it.  As  for  Cathay  and  its  position  and  its 
wonders,  we  have  the  better  established  evidence  of  the  re- 
nowned Venetians,  Marco  and  JSTicolo  Polo,  who  not  only  trav- 
elled in  those  territories,  but  sojourned  years  at  the  court  of 
their  monarch.  But,  noble  gentlemen,  whether  there  is  a  Pres- 
tor John,  or  a  Cathay,  there  is  certainly  a  limit  to  the  western 
side  of  the  Atlantic,  and  that  limit  I  am  ready  to  seek." 

The  archbishop  betrayed  his  incredulity  in  the  upward  turn 
of  his  eyes ;  but  having  his  commands  from  those  who  were 


116  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

accustomed  to  be  obeyed,  and  knowing  that  the  theory  of  Co- 
lumbus had  been  gravely  heard  and  reported  on,  years  before, 
at  Salamanca,  he  determined  prudently  to  keep  within  his 
proper  sphere,  and  to  proceed  at  once  to  that  into  which  it  was 
his  duty  to  inquire. 

"  You  have  set  forth  the  advantages  that  you  think  may  be 
derived  to  the  sovereigns,  should  your  project  succeed,  Seiior," 
he  said,  "  and  truly  they  are  not  light,  if  all  your  brilliant  hopes 
may  be  realized  ;  but  it  now  remaineth  to  know  what  conditions 
you  reserve  for  yourself,  as  the  reward  of  all  your  risks  and 
many  years  of  anxious  labor." 

"All  that  hath  been  duly  considered,  illustrious  archbishop, 
and  you  will  find  the  substance  of  my  wishes  set  forth  in  this 
paper,  though  many  of  the  smaller  provisions  will  remain  to  be 
enumerated." 

As  Columbus  spoke  he  handed  the  paper  in  question  to  Fer- 
dinand of  Talavera.  The  prelate  ran  his  eyes  over  it  hastily  at 
first,  but  a  second  time  with  more  deliberation,  and  it  would  be 
difficult  to  say  whether  ridicule  or  indignation  was  most  strong- 
ly expressed  in  his  countenance,  as  he  deridingly  threw  the 
document  on  a  table.  When  this  act  of  contempt  was  per- 
formed, he  turned  toward  Columbus,  as  if  to  satisfy  himself 
that  the  navigator  was  not  mad. 

"Art  thou  serious  in  demanding  these  terms,  Senor  V  he 
asked  sternly,  and  with  a  look  that  would  have  caused  most 
men,  in  the  humble  station  of  the  applicant,  to  swerve  from 
their  purpose. 

"  Lord  Archbishop,"  answered  Columbus,  with  a  dignity  that 
was  not  easily  disturbed,  "  this  matter  hath  now  occupied  my 
mind  quite  eighteen  years.  During  the  whole  of  this  long 
period  I  have  thought  seriously  of  little  else,  and  it  may  be  said 
to  have  engaged  my  mind  sleeping  and  waking.  I  saw  the  truth 
early  and  intensely,  but  every  day  seems  to  bring  it  brighter 
and  brighter  before  my  eyes.  I  feel  a  reliance  on  success,  that 
cometh  from  dependence  on  God.  I  think  myself  an  agent, 
chosen  for  the  accomplishment  of  great  ends,  and  ends  that  will 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  1 1 7 

not  be  decided  by  the  success  of  this  one  enterprise.  There  is 
more  beyond,  and  I  must  retain  the  dignity  and  the  means 
necessary  to  accomplish  it.  I  cannot  abate,  in  the  smallest  de- 
gree, the  nature  or  the  amount  of  these  conditions." 

Although  the  manner  in  which  these  words  were  uttered  lent 
them  weight,  the  prelate  fancied  that  the  mind  of  the  navigator 
had  got  to  be  unsettled  by  his  long  contemplation  of  a  single 
subject.  The  only  things  that  left  any  doubt  concerning  the 
accuracy  of  this  opinion,  were  the  method  and  science  with 
which  he  had  often  maintained,  even  in  his  own  presence,  the 
reasonableness  of  his  geographical  suppositions;  arguments 
which,  though  they  had  failed  to  convince  one  bent  on  believing 
the  projector  a  visionary,  had,  nevertheless,  greatly  puzzled  the 
listener.  Still,  the  demands  he  had  just  read  seemed  so  ex- 
travagant, that,  for  a  single  instant,  a  sentiment  of  pity  re- 
pressed the  burst  of  indignation  to  which  he  felt  disposed  to 
give  vent. 

"  How  like  ye,  noble  lords/'  he  cried,  sarcastically,  turning 
to  two  or  three  of  his  fellow-commissioners,  who  had  eagerly 
seized  the  paper  and  were  endeavoring  to  read  it,  and  all  at  the 
same  moment,  "the  moderate  and  modest  demands  of  the 
Senor  Christoval  Colon,  the  celebrated  navigator  who  confound- 
ed the  Council  of  Salamanca !  Are  they  not  such  as  becometh 
their  Highnesses  to  accept  on  bended  knees,  and  with  many 
thanks?" 

"Read  them,  Lord  Archbishop,"  exclaimed  several  in  a 
breath.    "  Let  us  first  know  their  nature." 

"  There  are  many  minor  conditions  that  might  be  granted,  as 
unworthy  of  discussion,"  resumed  the  prelate,  taking  the  paper; 
"  but  here  are  two  that  must  give  the  sovereigns  infinite  satis- 
faction. The  Senor  Colon  actually  satisfieth  himself  with  the 
rank  of  Admiral  and  Viceroy  over  all  the  countries  he  may  dis- 
cover ;  and  as  for  gains,  one-tenth — the  church's  share,  my 
brethren — yea,  even  one -tenth,  one  humble  tenth  of  the  pro- 
ceeds and  customs,  will  content  him  !" 

The  general  murmur  that  passed  among  the  commissioners. 


118  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

denoted  a  common  dissatisfaction,  and  at  that  instant  Columbus 
had  not  a  true  supporter  in  the  room. 

"  Nor  is  this  all,  illustrious  nobles,  and  holy  priests,"  con- 
tinued the  archbishop,  following  up  his  advantage  as  soon  as  he 
believed  his  auditors  ready  to  hear  him — "  nor  is  this  all ;  lest 
these  high  dignities  should  weary  their  Highnesses'  shoulders, 
and  those  of  their  royal  progeny,  the  liberal  Genoese  actually 
consenteth  to  transmit  them  to  his  own  posterity,  in  all  time  to 
come  ;  converting  the  kingdom  of  Cathay  into  a  realm  for  the 
uses  of  the  house  of  Colon,  to  maintain  the  dignity  of  which, 
the  tenth  of  all  the  benefits  are  to  be  consigned  to  its  especial 
care !" 

There  would  have  been  an  open  laugh  at  this  sally,  had  not 
the  noble  bearing  of  Columbus  checked  its  indulgence  ;  and 
even  Ferdinand  of  Talavera,  under  the  stern  rebuke  of  an  eye 
and  mien  that  carried  with  them  a  grave  authority,  began  to 
think  he  had  gone  too  far. 

"  Your  pardon,  Seiior  Colon,"  he  immediately  and  more 
courteously  added  ;  "  but  your  conditions  sounded  so  lofty  that 
they  have  quite  taken  me  by  surprise.  You  cannot  seriously 
mean  to  maintain  them  ?" 

"  Not  one  jot  will  I  abate,  Lord  Priest:  that  much  will  be 
my  due  ;  and  he  that  consenteth  to  less  than  he  deserveth,  be- 
cometh  an  instrument  of  his  own  humiliation.  I  shall  give  to 
the  sovereigns  an  empire  that  will  far  exceed  in  value  all  their 
other  possessions,  and  I  claim  my  reward.  I  tell  you,  more- 
over, reverend  prelate,  that  there  is  much  in  reserve,  and  that 
these  conditions  will  be  needed  to  fulfil  the  future." 

"  These  are  truly  modest  proposals  for  a  nameless  Genoese  !•  ■ 
exclaimed  one  of  the  courtiers,  who  had  been  gradually  swell- 
ing with  disgust  and  contempt.  "The  Senor  Colon  will  be 
certain  of  commanding  in  the  service  of  their  Highnesses,  and 
if  nothing  is  done  he  will  have  that  high  honor  without  cost ; 
whereas,  should  this  most  improbable  scheme  lead  to  any  bene- 
fits, he  will  become  a  vice-king,  humbly  contenting  himself 
with  the  church's  revenue  !" 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  119 

This  remark  appeared  to  determine  the  wavering,  and  the 
commissioners  rose,  in  a  body,  as  if  the  matter  were  thought  to 
be  unworthy  of  further  discussion.  With  the  view  to  preseive 
at  least  the  -appearance  of  impartiality  and  discretion,  however, 
the  archbishop  turned  once  more  toward  Columbus,  and  now, 
certain  of  obtaining  his  ends,  he  spoke  to  him  in  milder 
tones. 

11  For  the  last  time,  Senor,"  he  said,  "  I  ask  if  you  still  insist 
on  these  unheard-of  terms  V 

"  On  them,  and  on  no  other,"  said  Columbus,  firmly.  "I 
know  the  magnitude  of  the  services  I  shall  perform,  and  will 
not  degrade  them — will  in  no  manner  lessen  their  dignity,  by 
accepting  aught  else.  But,  Lord  Archbishop,  and  you,  too, 
noble  Senor,  that  treateth  my  claims  so  lightly,  I  am  ready  to 
add  to  the  risk  of  person,  life,  and  name,  that  of  gold.  I  will 
furnish  one-eighth  of  the  needful  sums,  if  ye  will  increase  my 
benefits  in  that  proportion." 

"  Enough,  enough,"  returned  the  prelate,  preparing  to  quit 
the  room ;  "we  will  make  our  report  to  the  sovereigns,  this  in- 
stant, and  thou  shalt  speedily  know  their  pleasure." 

Thus  terminated  the  conference.  The  courtiers  left  the 
room,  conversing  earnestly  among  themselves,  like  men  who 
did  not  care  to  repress  their  indignation  ;  while  Columbus,  filled 
with  the  noble  character  of  his  own  designs,  disappeared  in 
another  direction,  with  the  bearing  of  one  whose  self-respect  was 
not  to  be  lessened  by  clamor,  and  who  appreciated  ignorance 
and  narrowness  of  views  too  justly  to  suffer  them  to  change  his 
own  high  purposes. 

Ferdinand  of  Talavera  was  as  good  as  his  word.  He  was  the 
queen's  confessor,  and,  in  virtue  of  that  holy  office,  had  at  all 
times  access  to  her  presence.  Full  of  the  subject  of  the  late 
interview,  he  took  his  way  directly  to  the  private  apartments  of 
the  queen,  and,  as  a  matter  of  course,  was  at  once  admitted. 
Isabella  heard  his  representations  with  mortification  and  regret, 
for  she  had  begun  to  set  her  heart  on  the  sailing  of  this  extra- 
ordinary expedition.     But  the  influence  of  the  archbishop  was 


120  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

very  great,  for  his  royal  penitent  knew  the  sincerity  and  devot- 
edness  of  his  heart. 

"  This  carrieth  presumption  to  insolence,  Senora,"  continued 
the  irritated  churchman ; "  have  we  not  here  a  mendicant  adven- 
turer demanding  honors  and  authority  that  belong  only  to  God 
and  his  anointed,  the  princes  of  the  earth?  Who  is  this 
Colon  ? — a  nameless  Genoese,  without  rank,  services,  or  mod- 
esty, and  yet  doth  he  carry  his  pretensions  to  a  height  that 
might  cause  even  a  Guzman  to  hesitate.' ' 

"He  is  a  good  Christian,  holy  prelate,"  Isabella  meekly  an- 
swered, "  and  seemeth  to  delight  in  the  service  and  glory  of 
God,  and  to  wish  to  favor  the  extension  of  his  visible  and 
Catholic  church." 

"  True,  Senora,  and  yet  may  there  be  deceit  in  this" — 

"  Nay,  Lord  Archbishop,  I  do  not  think  that  deceit  is  the 
man's  failing,  for  franker  speech  and  more  manly  bearing  it  is 
not  usual  to  see,  even  in  the  most  powerful.  He  hath  solicited 
us  for  years,  and  yet  no  act  of  meanness  may  be  fairly  laid  to 
his  charge." 

"  I  shall  not  judge  the  heart  of  this  man  harshly,  Dona  Isa- 
bella, but  we  may  judge  of  his  actions  and  his  pretensions,  and 
how  far  they  may  be  suitable  to  the  dignity  of  the  two  crowns, 
freely  and  without  censure.  I  confess  him  grave,  and  plausible, 
and  light  of  neither  discourse  nor  manner,  virtues  certainly,  as 
the  world  moveth  in  courts" — Isabella  smiled,  but  she  said 
nothing,  for  her  ghostly  counsellor  was  wont  to  rebuke  with 
freedom,  and  she  to  listen  with  humility — "  where  the  age  is 
not  exhibiting  its  purest  models  of  sobriety  of  thought  and  de- 
votion, but  even  these  may  exist  without  the  spirit  that  shall  be 
fitted  for  heaven.  But  what  are  gravity  and  decorum,  if  sus- 
tained by  an  inflated  pride  and  inordinate  rapacity  ?  ambition 
being  a  term  too  lofty  for  such  a  craving.  Reflect,  Senora,  on 
the  full  nature  of  these  demands.  This  Colon  requireth  to  be 
established,  forever,  in  the  high  state  of  a  substitute  for  a  king, 
not  only  for  his  own  person,  but  for  those  of  his  descendants 
throughout  all  time,  with  the  title  and  authority  of  Admira. 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  121 

over  all  adjacent  seas,  should  he  discover  any  of  the  lands  he  so 
much  exalts,  before  he  will  consent  to  enter  into  the  command 
of  certain  of  Your  Highnesses'  vessels,  a  station  of  itself  only 
too  honorable  for  one  of  so  little  note  !  Should  his  most  extrav- 
agant pretensions  be  realized  —  and  the  probabilities  are  that 
they  will  entirely  fail — his  demands  would  exceed  his  services  ; 
whereas,  in  the  case  of  failure,  the  Castilian  and  Aragonese 
names  would  be  covered  with  ridicule,  and  a  sore  disrespect 
would  befal  the  royal  dignity  for  having  been  thus  duped  by  an 
adventurer.  Much  of  the  glory  of  this  late  conquest  would  be 
tarnished,  by  a  mistake  so  unfortunate." 

"  Daughter-Marchioness,"  observed  the  queen,  turning  toward 
the  faithful  and  long-tried  friend  who  was  occupied  with  her 
needle  near  her  own  side — "  these  conditions  of  Colon  do,  truly, 
seem  to  exceed  the  bounds  of  reason." 

"  The  enterprise  also  exceedeth  all  the  usual  bounds  of  risks 
and  adventures,  Senora,"  was  the  steady  reply  of  Dona  Beatriz, 
as  she  glanced  toward  the  countenance  of  Mercedes.  "  Noble 
efforts  deserve  noble  rewards." 

The  eye  of  Isabella  followed  the  glance  of  her  friend,  and  it 
remained  fixed  for  some  time  on  the  pale,  anxious  features  of 
her  favorite's  ward.  The  beautiful  girl  herself  was  unconscious 
of  the  attention  she  excited ;  but  one  who  knew  her  secret 
might  easily  detect  the  intense  feeling  with  which  she  awaited 
the  issue.  The  opinions  of  her  confessor  had  seemed  so  rea- 
sonable, that  Isabella  was  on  the  point  of  assenting  to  the 
report  of  the  commissioners,  and  of  abandoning  altogether  the 
secret  hopes  and  expectations  she  had  begun  to  couple  with 
the  success  of  the  navigator's  schemes,  when  a  gentler  feeling, 
one  that  belonged  peculiarly  to  her  own  feminine  heart,  inter- 
posed to  give  the  mariner  another  chance.  It  is  seldom  that 
woman  is  dead  to  the  sympathies  connected  with  the  affections, 
and  the  wishes  that  sprang  from  the  love  of  Mercedes  de  Val- 
verde  were  the  active  cause  of  the  decision  that  the  Queen  of 
Castile  came  to  at  that  critical  moment. 

"We  must  be  neither  harsh  nor  hasty  with  this  Genoese, 


122  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

Lord  Archbishop,"  she  said,  turning  again  to  the  prelate.  "He 
hath  the  virtues  of  devoutness  and  fair-dealing,  and  these  are 
qualities  that  sovereigns  learn  to  prize.  His  demands  no  doubt 
have  become  somewhat  exaggerated  by  long  brooding,  in  his 
thoughts,  on  a  favorite  and  great  scheme ;  but  kind  words  and 
reason  may  yet  lead  him  to  more  moderation.  Let  him,  then, 
be  tried  with  propositions  of  our  own,  and  doubtless  his  ne- 
cessities, if  not  a  sense  of  justice,  will  cause  him  to  accept  them. 
The  viceroyalty  doth,  indeed,  exceed  the  usual  policy  of  princes, 
and,  as  you  say,  holy  prelate,  the  tenth  is  the  church's  share ; 
but  the  admiral's  rank  may  be  fairly  claimed.  Meet  him,  then, 
with  these  moderated  proposals,  and  substitute  a  fifteenth  for  a 
tenth ;  let  him  be  a  viceroy  in  his  own  person,  during  the  pleas- 
ure of  Don  Fernando  and  myself,  but  let  him  relinquish  the 
claim  for  his  posterity." 

*  Fernando  de  Talavera  thought  even  these  concessions  too 
considerable,  but,  while  he  exercised  his  sacred  office  with  a 
high  authority,  he  too  well  knew  the  character  of  Isabella  to 
presume  to  dispute  an  order  she  had  once  issued,  although  it 
was  in  her  own  mild  and  feminine  manner.  After  receiving  a 
few  more  instructions,  therefore,  and  obtaining  the  counsel  of 
the  king,  who  was  at  work  in  an  adjoining  cabinet,  the  prelate 
went  to  execute  this  new  commission. 

Two  or  three  days  now  passed  before  the  subject  was  finally 
disposed  of,  and  Isabella  was  again  seated  in  the  domestic 
circle,  when  admission  was  once  more  demanded  in  behalf  of 
her  confessor.  The  archbishop  entered  with  a  flushed  face, 
and  his  whole  appearance  was  so  disturbed  that  it  must  have 
been  observed  by  the  most  indifferent  person. 

"How  now,  holy  archbishop," — demanded  Isabella — "  doth 
thy  new  flock  vox  thy  spirit,  and  is  it  so  very  hard  to  deal  with 
an  infidel  VI 

u'Tis  naught  of  that,  Sefiora — 'tis  naught  relating  to  my 
new  people.  I  find  even  the  followers  of  the  false  prophet  more 
reasonable  than  some  who  exult  in  Christ's  name  and  favor. 
This  Colon  is  a  madman,  and  better  fitted  to  become  a  saint 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  123 

in  Mussulmans'  eyes,  than  even  a  pilot  in  Your  Highness' 
service." 

At  this  burst  of  indignation,  the  queen,  the  Marchioness  of 
Moya,  and  Dona  Mercedes  de  Valverde,  simultaneously  dropped 
their  needle-work,  and  sat  looking  at  the  prelate,  with  a  com- 
mon concern.  They  had  all  hoped  that  the  difficulties  which 
stood  in  the  way  of  a  favorable  termination  to  the  negotiation 
would  be  removed,  and  that  the  time  was  at  hand,  when  the 
being  who,  in  spite  of  the  boldness  and  unusual  character  of  his 
projects,  had  succeeded  in  so  signally  commanding  their  res- 
pect, and  in  interesting  their  feelings,  was  about  to  depart,  and 
to  furnish  a  practical  solution  to  problems  that  had  as  much 
puzzled  their  reasons  as  they  had  excited  their  curiosity.  But 
here  was  something  like  a  sudden  and  unlooked-for  termination 
to  all  their  expectations ;  and  while  Mercedes  felt  something 
like  despair  chilling  her  heart,  the  queen  and  Doiia  Beatriz  were 
both  displeased. 

"  Didst  thou  du]y  explain  to  Senor  Colon,  the  nature  of  our 
proposals,  Lord  Archbishop?"  the  former  asked,  with  more 
severity  of  manner  than  she  was  accustomed  to  betray ;  ' i  and 
doth  he  still  insist  on  the  pretensions  to  a  vice-regal  power,  and 
on  the  offensive  condition  in  behalf  of  his  posterity  ?" 

"  Even  so,  Your  Highness  ;  were  it  Isabella  of  Castile  treat- 
ing with  Henry  of  England  or  Louis  of  France,  the  starving 
Genoese  could  not  hold  higher  terms  or  more  inflexible  condi- 
tions. He  abateth  nothing.  The  man  deemeth  himself  chosen 
of  God,  to  answer  certain  ends,  and  his  language  and  conditions 
are  such  as  one  who  felt  a  holy  impulse  to  his  course,  could 
scarcely  feel  warranted  in  assuming." 

"  This  constancy  hath  its  merit,"  observed  the  queen  ;  "  but 
there  is  a  limit  to  concession.  I  shall  urge  no  more  in  the 
navigator's  favor,  but  leave  him  to  the  fortune  that  naturally 
followeth  self- exaltation  and  all  extravagance  of  demand." 

This  speech  apparently  sealed  the  fate  of  Columbus  in  Castile. 
The  archbishop  was  appeased,  and,  first  holding  a  short  private 
conference  with  his  royal  penitent,  he  left  the  room.     Shortly 


124 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 


after,  Christoval  Colon,  as  lie  was  called  by  the  Spaniards — 
Columbus,  as  lie  styled  himself  in  later  life — received,  for  a 
definite  answer,  the  information  that  his  conditions  were  re- 
jected, and  that  the  negotiation  for  the  projected  voyage  to  the 
Indies  was  finally  at  an  end. 


UIRCSI'fiS      OF     CASTILE.  12* 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

"  Oh !  ever  thus,  from  childhood's  hour, 
I've  seen  my  fondest  hopes  decay ; 
I  never  loved  a  tree  or  flower, 
But  5t  was  the  first  to  fade  away." 

Lalla  Hookii. 

The  season  had  now  advanced  to  the  first  days  of  February, 
and,  in  that  low  latitude,  the  weather  was  becoming  genial  and 
spring-like.  On  the  morning  succeeding  that  of  the  interview 
just  related,  some  six  or  eight  individuals,  attracted  by  the 
loveliness  of  the  day,  and  induced  morally  by  a  higher  motive, 
were  assembled  before  the  door  of  one  of  those  low  dwellings 
of  Santa  Fe  that  had  been  erected  for  the  accommodation  of 
the  conquering  army.  Most  of  these  persons  were  grave  Span- 
iards of  a  certain  age,  though  young  Luis  de  Bobadilla  was  also 
there,  and  the  tall,  dignified  form  of  Columbus  was  in  the  group. 
The  latter  was  equipped  for  the  road,  and  a  stout,  serviceable 
Andalusian  mule  stood  ready  to  receive  its  burden,  near  at  hand. 
A  charger  was  by  the  side  of  the  mule,  showing  that  the  rider 
of  the  last  was  about  to  have  company.  Among  the  Spaniards 
were  Alonzo  de  Quintanilla,  the  accountant-general  of  Castile,  a 
firm  friend  of  the  navigator,  and  Luis  de  St.  Angel,  the  receiver 
of  the  ecclesiastical  revenues  of  Aragon,  who  was  one  of  the 
firmest  converts  that  Columbus  had  made  to  the  philosophical 
accuracy  of  his  opinions  and  to  the  truth  of  his  vast  concep- 
tions. 

The  two  last  had  been  in  earnest  discourse  with  the  naviga- 
tor, but  the  discussion  had  closed,  and  Senor  de  St.  Angel,  a 
man  of  generous  feelings  and  ardent  imagination,  was  just  ex- 
pressing himself  warmly,  in  the  following  words-^ 


120  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE, 

"By  the  lustre  of  the  two  crowns !"  he  cried,  "this  ought 
not  to  come  to  pass.  But,  adieu,  Senor  Colon — God  have  you 
in  his  holy  keeping,  and  send  you  wiser  and  less  prejudiced 
judges,  hereafter.  -The  past  can  only  cause  us  shame  and  grief, 
while  the  future  is  in  the  womb  of  time." 

The  whole  party,  with  the  exception  of  Luis  de  Bobadilla, 
then  took  their  leave.  As  soon  as  the  place  was  clear,  Colum- 
bus mounted,  and  passed  through  the  thronged  streets,  attended 
by  the  young  noble  on  his  charger.  Not  a  syllable  was  uttered 
by  either,  until  they  were  fairly  on  the  plain,  though  Columbus 
often  sighed  like  a  man  oppressed  with  grief.  Still,  his  mien 
was  calm,  his  bearing  dignified,  and  his  eye  lighted  with  that 
unquenchable  fire  which  finds  its  fuel  in  the  soul  within. 

When  fairly  without  the  gates,  Columbus  turned  courteously 
to  his  young  companion  and  thanked  him  for  his  escort ;  but, 
with  a  consideration  for  the  other  that  was  creditable  to  his 
heart,  he  added — 

"While  I  am  so  grateful  for  this  honor,  coming  from  one 
so  noble  and  full  of  hopes,  I  must  not  forget  your  own  charac- 
ter. Didst  thou  not  remark,  friend  Luis,  as  we  passed  through 
the  streets,  that  divers  Spaniards  pointed  at  me,  as  the  object 
of  scorn?" 

"I  did,  Senor,"  answered  Luis,  his  cheek  glowing  with  indig- 
nation, "  and  had  it  not  been  that  I  dreaded  your  displeasure, 
I  would  have  trodden  the  vagabonds  beneath  my  horse's  feet, 
failing  of  a  lance  to  spit  them  on  !" 

"  Thou  hast  acted  most  wisely  in  showing  forbearance.  But 
these  are  men,  and  their  common  judgment  maketh  public 
opinion ;  nor  do  I  perceive  that  the  birth,  or  the  opportunities, 
causeth  material  distinctions  between  them,  though  the  manner 
of  expression  vary.  There  are  vulgar  among  the  noble,  and  noble 
among  the  lowly.  This  very  act  of  kindness  of  thine,  will  find 
its  deriders  and  contemners  in  the  court  of  the  two  sovereigns." 

"Let  him  look  to  it,  who  presumeth  to  speak  lightly  of  you, 
Senor,  to  Luis  de  Bobadilla !  We  are  not  a  patient  race,  and 
Castilian  blood  is  apt  to  be  hot  blood." 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  127 

"  I  should  be  sorry  that  any  man  but  myself  should  draw  in 
my  quarrel.  But,  if  we  take  offence  at  all  who  think  and  speak 
folly,  we  may  pass  our  days  in  harness.  Let  the  young  nobles 
have  their  jest,  if  it  give  them  pleasure — but  do  not  let  me 
regret  my  friendship  for  thee." 

Luis  promised  fairly,  and  then,  as  if  his  truant  thoughts 
would  revert  to  the  subject  unbidden,  he  hastily  resumed — 

"  You  speak  of  the  noble  as  of  a  class  different  from  your 
own — surely,  Sefior  Colon,  thou  art  noble  ?" 

"  Would  it  make  aught  different  in  thy  opinions  and  feelings, 
young  man,  were  I  to  answer  no  ?" 

The  cheek  of  Don  Luis  flushed,  and,  for  an  instant,  he  re- 
pented of  his  remark ;  but  falling  back  on  his  own  frank  and 
generous  nature,  he  answered  immediately,  without  reservation 
or  duplicity — 

' '  By  San  Pedro,  my  new  patron !  I  could  wish  you  were 
noble,  Seiior,  if  it  were  merely  for  the  honor  of  the  class.  There 
are  so  many  among  us  who  do  no  credit  to  their  spurs,  that 
we  might  gladly  receive  such  an  acquisition." 

"  This  world  is  made  up  of  changes,  young  Seiior,"  returned 
Columbus,  smiling.  "  The  seasons  undergo  their  changes ; 
night  follows  day ;  comets  come  and  go ;  monarchs  become 
subjects,  and  subjects  monarchs  ;  nobles  lose  the  knowledge  of 
their  descent,  and  plebeians  rise  to  the  rank  of  nobles.  There 
is  a  tradition  among  us,  that  we  were  formerly  of  the  privileged 
class ;  but  time  and  our  unlucky  fortune  have  brought  us  down 
to  humble  employments.  Am  I  to  lose  the  honor  of  Don  Luis 
de  Bobadilla's  company  in  the  great  voyage,  should  I  be  more 
fortunate  in  France  than  I  have  been  in  Castile,  because  his  com- 
mander happeneth  to  have  lost  the  evidences  of  his  nobility  ?* 

"That  would  be  a  most  unworthy  motive,  Seiior,  and  I 
hasten  to  correct  your  mistake.  As  we  are  now  about  to  part 
for  some  time,  I  ask  permission  to  lay  bare  my  whole  soul  to 
you.  I  confess  that  when  first  I  heard  of  this  voyage,  it  struck 
me  as  a  madman's  scheme" — 

"Ah  !  friend  Luis,"  interrupted  Columbus,  with  a  melancholy 


128  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE, 

shake  of  the  head,  "  this  is  the  opinion  of  but  too  many  !  I 
fear  Don  Ferdinand  of  Aragon,  as  well  as  that  stern  prelate,  his 
namesake,  who  hath  lately  disposed  of  the  question,  thinketh 
in  the  same  manner." 

"  I  crave  your  pardon,  Senor  Colon,  if  I  have  uttered  aught 
to  give  you  pain  ;  but  if  I  have  once  done  you  injustice,  I  am 
ready  enough  to  expiate  the  wrong,  as  you  will  quickly  see. 
Thinking  thus,  I  entered  into  discourse  with  you,  with  a  view 
to  amuse  myself  with  fancied  ravings ;  but,  though  no  imme- 
diate change  of  opinion  followed  as  to  the  truth  of  the  theory, 
I  soon  perceived  that  a  great  philosopher  and  profound  reasoner 
had  the  matter  in  hand.  Here  my  judgment  might  have  rested, 
and  my  opinion  been  satisfied,  but  for  a  circumstance  of  deep 
moment  to  myself.  You  must  know,  Senor,  though  come  of 
the  oldest  blood  of  Spain,  and  not  without  fair  possessions,  that 
I  may  not  always  have  answered  the  hopes  of  those  who  have 
been  charged  with  the  care  of  my  youth" — 

"This  is  unnecessary,  noble  sir" — 

"Nay,  by  St.  Luke  !  it  shall  be  said.  Now,  I  have  two 
great  and  engrossing  passions,  that  sometimes  interfere  with 
each  other.  The  one  is  a  love  for  rambling — a  burning  desire 
to  see  foreign  lands,  and  this,  too,  in  a  free  and  roving  fashion 
— with  a  disposition  for  the  sea  and  the  doings  of  havens  ;  and 
the  other  is  a  love  for  Mercedes  de  Valverde,  the  fairest,  gen- 
tlest, most  affectionate,  warmest-hearted,  and  truest  maiden  of 
Castile!" 

"JSToble,  withal,"  put  in  Columbus,  smiling. 

"  Senor,"  answered  Luis,  gravely,  "  I  jest  not  concerning  my 
guardian  angel.  She  is  not  only  noble,  and  every  way  fitted 
to  honor  my  name,  but  she  hath  the  blood  of  the  Guzmans, 
themselves,  in  her  veins.  But  I  have  lost  favor  with  others, 
if  not  with  my  lovely  mistress,  in  yielding  to  this  rambling 
inclination  ;  and  even  my  own  aunt,  who  is  her  guardian,  hath 
not  looked  smilingly  on  my  suit.  Dona  Isabella,  whose  word 
is  law  among  all  the  noble  virgins  of  the  court,  hath  also  her 
prejudices,  and  it  hath  become  necessary  to  regain  her  good 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  129 

opinion,  to  win  the  Dona  Mercedes.  It  struck  nie" — Luis  was 
too  manly  to  betray  his  mistress  by  confessing  that  the  thought 
was  hers — "  it  struck  me,  that  if  my  rambling  tastes  took  the 
direction  of  some  noble  enterprise,  like  this  you  urge,  that  what 
hath  been  a  demerit  might  be  deemed  a  merit  in  the  royal  eyes, 
which  would  be  certain  soon  to  draw  all  other  eyes  after  them. 
With  this  hope,  then,  I  first  entered  into  the  present  intercourse, 
until  the  force  of  your  arguments  hath  completed  my  conver- 
sion, and  now  no  churchman  hath  more  faith  in  the  head  of  his 
religion,  than  I  have  that  the  shortest  road  to  Cathay  is  athwart 
the  broad  Atlantic  ;  or  no  Lombard  is  more  persuaded  that  his 
Lombardy  is  flat,  than  I  feel  convinced  that  this  good  earth  of 
ours  is  a  sphere." 

"Speak  reverently  of  the  ministers  of  the  altar,  young 
Senor,"  said  Columbus,  crossing  himself,  "  for  no  levity  should 
be  used  in  connection  with  their  holy  office.  It  seemeth,  then," 
he  added,  smiling,  "I  owe  my  disciple  to  the  two  potent  agents 
of  love  and  reason  ;  the  former,  as  most  potent,  overcoming  the 
first  obstacles,  and  the  latter  getting  uppermost  at  the  close  of 
the  affair,  as  is  wont  to  happen — love,  generally,  triumphing  in 
the  onset,  and  reason,  last." 

"I'll  not  deny  the  potency  of  the  power,  Seiior,  for  I  feel  it 
too  deeply  to  rebel  against  it.  You  now  know  my  secret,  and 
when  I  have  made  you  acquainted  with  my  intentions,  all  wiF 
be  laid  bare.  I  here  solemnly  vow" — Don  Luis  lifted  his  caj 
and  looked  to  heaven,  as  he  spoke — "to  join  you  in  this  voyage 
on  due  notice,  sail  from  whence  you  may,  in  whatever  bark  you 
shall  choose,  and  whenever  you  please.  In  doing  this,  I  trust, 
first  to  serve  God  and  his  church ;  secondly,  to  visit  Cathay 
and  those  distant  and  wonderful  lands;  and  lastly,  to  win  Dona 
Mercedes  de  Valverde." 

f*  I  accept  the  pledge,  young  sir,"  rejoined  Columbus,  struck 
by  his  earnestness,  and  pleased  with  his  sincerity — "  though  it 
might  have  been  a  more  faithful  representation  of  your  thoughts 
had  the  order  of  the  motives  been  reversed." 

"In  a  few  months  I  shall  be  master  of  my  own  means,' 


130  M  t  n  C  E  U  E  S      OF      CASTILE. 

continued  the  youth,  too  intent  on  his  own  purposes  to  heed 
what  the  navigator  had  said — "  and  then,  nothing  but  the 
solemn  command  of  Dona  Isabella,  herself,  shall  prevent  out 
having  one  caravel,  at  least ;  and  the  coffers  of  Bobadilla  must 
have  been  foully  dealt  by,  during  their  master's  childhood,  if 
they  do  not  afford  two.  I  am  no  subject  of  Don  Fernando' s, 
but  a  servant  of  the  elder  branch  of  the  House  of  Trastamara ; 
and  the  cold  judgment  of  the  king,  even,  shall  not  prevent  it." 

u  This  soundeth  generously,  and  thy  sentiments  are  such  as 
become  a  youthful  and  enterprising  noble ;  but  the  offer  cannot 
be  accepted.  It  would  not  become  Columbus  to  use  gold  that 
came  from  so  confiding  a  spirit  and  so  inexperienced  a  head ; 
and  there  are  still  greater  obstacles  than  this.  My  enterprise 
must  rest  on  the  support  of  some  powerful  prince.  Even  the 
Guzman  hath  not  deemed  himself  of  sufficient  authority  to  up- 
hold a  scheme  so  large.  Did  we  make  the  discoveries  without 
that  sanction,  we  should  be  toiling  for  others,  without  security 
for  ourselves,  since  the  Portuguese  or  some  other  monarch 
would  wrong  us  of  our  reward.  That  I  am  destined  to  effect 
this  great  work,  I  feel,  and  it  must  be  done  in  a  manner  suited 
to  the  majesty  of  the  thought  and  to  the  magnitude  of  the  sub- 
ject. And,  here,  Don  Luis,  we  must  part.  Should  my  suit 
be  successful  at  the  court  of  France,  thou  shalt  hear  from  me, 
for  I  ask  no  better  than  to  be  sustained  by  hearts  and  hands 
like  thine.  Still,  thou  must  not  mar  thy  fortunes  unheedingly, 
and  I  am  now  a  fallen  man  in  Castile.  It  may  not  serve  thee  a 
good  turn,  to  be  known  to  frequent  my  company  any  longer — 
and  I  again  say,  here  we  must  part." 

Luis  de  Bobadilla  protested  his  indifference  to  what  others 
might  think  ;  but  the  more  experienced  Columbus,  who  rose  so 
high  above  popular  clamor  in  matters  that  affected  himself,  felt 
a  generous  reluctance  to  permit  this  confiding  youth  to  sacrifice 
his  hopes,  to  any  friendly  impressions  in  his  own  favor.  The 
leave-taking  was  warm,  and  the  navigator  felt  a  glow  at  his 
heart,  as  he  witnessed  the  sincere  and  honest  emotions  that  the 
young  man  could   not   repress   at   parting.     They  separated, 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  131 

however,  about  half  a  league  from  the  town,  and  each  bent  his 
way  in  his  own  direction  ;  Don  Luis  de  Bobadilla's  heart  swel- 
ling with  indignation  at  the  unworthy  treatment  that  there  was, 
in  sooth,  so  much  reason  for  thinking  his  new  friend  had  re- 
ceived. 

Columbus  journeyed  on,  with  very  different  emotions.  Seven 
weary  years  had  he  been  soliciting  the  monarchs  and  nobles  of 
Spain  to  aid  him  in  his  enterprise.  In  that  long  period,  how 
much  of  poverty,  contempt,  ridicule,  and  even  odium,  had  he 
not  patiently  encountered,  rather  than  abandon  the  slight  hold 
that  he  had  obtained  on  a  few  of  the  more  liberal  and  enlight- 
ened minds  of  the  nation !  He  had  toiled  for  bread  while 
soliciting  the  great  to  aid  themselves  in  becoming  still  more 
powerful ;  and  each  ray  of  hope,  however  feeble,  had  been 
eagerly  caught  at  with  joy,  each  disappointment  borne  with  a 
constancy  that  none  but  the  most  exalted  spirit  could  sustain. 
But  he  was  now  required  to  endure  the  most  grievous  of  all  his 
pains.  The  recall  of  Isabella  had  awakened  within  him  a  confi- 
dence to  which  he  had  long  been  a  stranger ;  and  he  awaited 
the  termination  of  the  siege  with  the  calm  dignity  that  became 
his  purpose,  no  less  than  his  lofty  philosophy.  The  hour  of 
leisure  had  come,  and  it  produced  a  fatal  destruction  to  all  his 
buoyant  hopes.  He  had  thought  his  motives  understood,  his 
character  appreciated,  and  his  high  objects  felt;  but  he  now 
found  himself  still  regarded  as  a  visionary  projector,  his  inten- 
tions distrusted,  and  his  promised  services  despised.  In  a  word, 
the  bright  expectations  that  had  cheered  his  toil  for  years,  had 
vanished  in  a  day,  and  the  disappointment  was  all  the  greater 
for  the  brief,  but  delusive  hopes  produced  by  his  recent  favor. 

It  is  not  surprising,  therefore,  that,  when  left  alone  on  the 
highway,  even  the  spirit  of  this  extraordinary  man  grew  faint 
within  him,  and  he  had  to  look  to  the  highest  power  for  succor. 
His  head  dropped  upon  his  breast,  and  one  of  those  bitter  mo- 
ments occurred,  in  which  the  past  and  the  future  crowd  the 
mind,  painfully  as  to  sufferings  endured,  cheerlessly  as  to  hope. 
The  time  wasted  in  Spain  seemed  a  blot  in  his  existence,  and 


132  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

then  came  the  probability  of  another  long  and  exhausting  pro- 
bation, that,  like  this,  might  lead  to  nothing.  He  had  already 
reached  the  lustrum  that  would  fill  his  threescore  years,  and  life 
seemed  slipping  from  beneath  him,  while  its  great  object  re- 
mained unachieved.  Still  the  high  resolution  of  the  man  sus- 
tained him.  Not  once  did  he  think  of  a  compromise  of  what 
he  felt  to  be  his  rights — not  once  did  he  doubt  of  the  practica- 
bility of  accomplishing  the  great  enterprise  that  others  derided. 
His  heart  was  full  of  courage,  even  while  his  bosom  was  full  of 
grief.  " There  is  a  wise,  a  merciful,  and  omnipotent  God!" 
he  exclaimed,  raising  his  eyes  to  heaven.  "  He  knoweth  what 
is  meet  for  his  own  glory,  and  in  him  do  I  put  my  trust." 
There  was  a  pause,  and  the  eyes  kindled,  while  a  scarcely  per- 
ceptible smile  lighted  the  grave  face,  and  then  were  murmured 
the  words — "  Yea,  he  taketh  his  time,  but  the  Infidel  shall  be 
enlightened,  and  the  blessed  sepulchre  redeemed  !" 

After  this  burst  of  feeling,  the  grave-looking  man,  whose 
hairs  had  already  become  whitened  to  the  color  of  snow,  by 
cares,  and  toils,  and  exposures,  pursued  his  way,  with  the  quiet 
dignity  of  one  who  believed  that  he  was  not  created  for  naught, 
and  who  trusted  in  God  for  the  fulfilment  of  his  destiny.  If 
quivering  sighs  occasionally  broke  out  of  his  breast,  they  did 
not  disturb  the  placidity  of  his  venerable  countenance ;  if  grief 
and  disappointment  still  lay  heavy  on  his  heart,  they  rested  on 
a  base  that  was  able  to  support  them.  Leaving  Columbus  to 
follow  the  common  mule-track  across  the  Vega,  we  will  now  re- 
turn to  Santa  Fe,  where  Ferdinand  and  Isabella  had  re-estab- 
lished their  court,  after  the  few  first  days  that  succeeded  the 
possession  of  their  new  conquest. 

Luis  de  St.  Angel  was  a  man  of  ardent  feelings  and  generous 
impulses.  He  was  one  of  those  few  spirits  who  live  in  advance 
of  their  age,  and  who  permitted  his  reason  to  be  enlightened 
and  cheered  by  his  imagination,  though  it  was  never  dazzled  by 
it.  As  he  and  his  friend  Alonzo  de  Quintanilla,  after  quitting 
Columbus  as  already  related,  walked  toward  the  royal  pavillion, 
they  conversed  freely  together  concerning  tne   man,  his  vast 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  133 

conceptions,  the  treatment  he  had  received,  and  the  shame  that 
wonld  alight  on  Spain  in  consequence,  were  he  suffered  thus  to 
depart  forever.  Blunt  of  speech,  the  receiver  of  the  ecclesiasti- 
cal revenues  clid  not  measure  his  terms,  every  syllable  of  which 
found  an  echo  in  the  heart  of  the  accountant-general,  who  was 
an  old  and  fast  friend  of  the  navigator.  In  short,  by  the  time 
they  reached  the  pavilion,  they  had  come  to  the  resolution  to 
make  one  manly  effort  to  induce  the  queen  to  yield  to  Colum- 
bus' terms  and  to  recal  him  to  her  presence, 

Isabella  was  always  easy  of  access  to  such  of  her  servants  as 
she  knew  to  be  honest  and  zealous.  The  age  was  one  of  for- 
mality, and,  in  many  respects,  of  exaggeration,  while  the  court 
was  renowned  for  ceremony ;  but  the  pure  spirit  of  the  queen 
threw  a  truth  and  a  natural  grace  around  all  that  depended  on 
her,  which  rendered  mere  forms,  except  as  they  were  connected 
with  delicacy  and  propriety,  useless,  and  indeed  impracticable. 
Both  the  applicants  for  the  interview  enjoyed  her  favor,  and 
the  request  was  granted  with  that  simple  directness  that  this 
estimable  woman  loved  to  manifest,  whenever  she  thought  she 
was  about  to  oblige  any  whom  she  esteemed. 

The  queen  was  surrounded  by  the  few  ladies  among  whom 
she  lived  in  private,  as  Luis  de  St.  Angel  and  Alonzo  de  Quin- 
tanilla  entered.  Among  them,  of  course,  were  the  Marchioness 
of  Moya  and  Dona  Mercedes  de  Valverde.  The  king,  on  this 
occasion,  was  in  an  adjoining  closet,  at  work,  as  usual,  with  his 
calculations  and  orders.  Official  labor  was  Ferdinand's  relax- 
ation, and  he  seldom  manifested  more  happiness  than  when 
clearing  off  a  press  of  affairs  that  most  men  would  have  found 
to  the  last  degree  burdensome.  He  was  a  hero  in  the  saddle, 
a  warrior  at  the  head  of  armies,  a  sage  in  council,  and  respect- 
able, if  not  great,  in  all  things  but  motives. 

"  What  has  brought  the  Seiior  St.  Angel  and  the  Senor 
Quintanilla,  as  suitors,  so  early  to  my  presence  ?"  asked  Isabella, 
smiling  in  a  way  to  assure  both  that  the  boon  would  be  asked 
of  a  partial  mistress.  "  Ye  are  not  wont  to  be  beggars,  and  the 
bour  is  somewhat  unusual." 


J  3  1  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

"  Ail  hours  are  suitable,  gracious  lady,  when  one  cometh  to 
confer  and  not  to  seek  favor,"  returned  Luis  de  St.  Angel, 
bluntly.  "  We  are  not  here  to  solicit  for  ourselves,  but  to  show 
Your  Highness  the  manner  in  which  the  crown  of  Castile  may 
be  garnished  with  brighter  jewels  than  any  it  now  possesseth." 

Isabella  looked  surprised,  both  at  the  words  of  the  speaker, 
and  at  his  hurried  earnestness,  as  well  as  his  freedom  of  speech. 
Accustomed,  however,  to  something  of  the  last,  her  own  calm 
manner  was  not  disturbed,  nor  did  she  even  seem  displeased. 

"Hath  the  Moor  another  kingdom  of  which  to  be  despoiled," 
she  asked;  "or  would  the  receiver  of  the  church's  revenues 
have  us  war  upon  the  Holy  See  ?" 

"I  would  have  Your  Highness  accept  the  boons  that  come 
from  God,  with  alacrity  and  gratitude,  and  not  reject  them 
unthankfully,"  returned  de  St.  Angel,  kissing  the  queen's 
offered  hand  with  a  respect  and  affection  that  neutralized  the 
freedom  of  his  words.  "Do  you  know,  my  gracious  mistress, 
that  the  Senor  Christoval  Colon,  he  from  whose  high  projects 
we  Spaniards  have  hoped  so  much,  hath  actually  taken  mule 
and  quitted  Santa  Fe  ?" 

"I  expected  as  much,  Senor,  though  I  was  not  apprized 
that  it  had  actually  come  to  pass.  The  king  and  I  put  the 
matter  into  the  hands  of  the  Archbishop  of  Granada,  with  other 
trusty  counsellors,  and  they  have  found  the  terms  of  the 
Genoese  arrogant;  so  full  of  exceeding  and  unreasonable  ex- 
travagance, that  it  ill  befitted  our  dignity,  and  our  duty  to  our- 
selves, to  grant  them.  One  who  hath  a  scheme  of  such  doubt- 
ful results,  ought  to  manifest  moderation  in  his  preliminaries. 
Many  even  believe  the  man  a  visionary." 

"It  is  unlike  an  unworthy  pretender,  Seiiora,  to  abandon  his 
hopes  before  he  will  yield  his  dignity.  This  Colon  feeleth  that 
he  is  treating  for  empires,  and  he  negotiates  like  one  full  of  the 
importance  of  his  subject." 

"He  that  lightly  valueth  himself,  in  matters  of  gravity,  hath 
need  to  expect  that  he  will  not  stand  high  in  the  estimation  of 
others,"  put  in  Alonzo  de  Quintanilla. 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  135 

i*  And,  moreover,  my  gracious  and  beloved  mistress,"  added 
de  St.  Angel,  without  permitting  Isabella  even  to  answer,  "the 
character  of  the  man,  and  the  value  of  his  intentions,  may  be 
appreciated  by  the  price  he  setteth  on  his  own  services.  If 
he  succeed,  will  not  the  discovery  eclipse  all  others  that  have 
been  made  since  the  creation  of  the  world  ?  Is  it  nothing  to 
circle  the  earth,  to  prove  the  wisdom  of  God  by  actual  experi- 
ment, to  follow  the  sun  in  its  daily  track,  and  imitate  the  mo- 
tions of  that  glorious  moving  mass  ?  And  then  the  benefits  that 
will  flow  on  Castile  and  Aragon — are  they  not  incalculab1^  ?  I 
marvel  that  a  princess  who  hath  shown  so  high  and  rare  a  spirit 
on  all  other  occasions,  should  shrink  from  so  grand  an  enter- 
prise as  this  PJ 

"Thou  art  earnest,  my  good  de  St.  Angel,"  returned  Isa- 
bella, with  a  smile  that  betrayed  no  anger;  "  and  when  there  is 
much  earnestness  there  is  sometimes  much  forgetfulness.  If 
there  were  honor  and  profit  in  success,  what  would  there  be  in 
failure  ?  Should  the  king  and  myself  send  out  this  Colon,  with 
a  commission  to  be  our  viceroy,  forever,  over  undiscovered 
lands,  and  no  lands  be  discovered,  the  wisdom  of  our  councils 
might  be  called  in  question,  and  the  dignity  of  the  two  crowns 
would  be  fruitlessly  and  yet  deeply  committed." 

"  The  hand  of  the  Lord  Archbishop  is  in  this  !  This  prelate 
hath  never  been  a  "believer  in  the  justice  of  the  navigator's 
theories,  and  it  is  easy  to  raise  objections  when  the  feelings 
lean  against  an  enterprise.  No  glory  is  obtained  without  risk. 
Look,  Your  Highness,  at  our  neighbors,  the  Portuguese — how 
much  have  discoveries  done  for  that  kingdom,  and  how  much 
more  may  it  do  for  us  !  We  know,  my  honored  mistress,  that 
the  earth  is  round" — 

"  Are  we  quite  certain  of  that  important  fact,  Senor,"  asked 
the  king,  who,  attracted  by  the  animated  and  unusual  tones  of 
the  speaker,  had  left  his  closet,  and  approached  unseen.  "  Is 
that  truth  established  ?  Our  doctors  at  Salamanca  were  divided 
on  that  great  question,  and,  by  St.  James  !  I  do  not  see  that  it 
is  so  very  clear." 


136  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

"  If  not  round,  my  Lord  the  King,"  answered  de  St.  Angel, 
turning  quickly  to  face  this  new  opponent,  like  a  well-drilled 
corps  wheeling  into  a  new  front,  "  of  what  form  can  it  be? 
Will  any  doctor,  come  he  of  Salamanca,  or  come  he  from  else- 
where, pretend  that  the  earth  is  a  plain,  and  that  it  hath  limits, 
and  that  one  may  stand  on  these  limits  and  jump  down  upon 
the  sun  as  he  passeth  beneath  at  night — is  this  reasonable,  hon- 
ored Senor,  or  is  it  in  conformity  with  scripture  ?" 

"  Will  any  one,  doctor  of  Salamanca,  or  elsewhere,"  rejoined 
the  king,  gravely,  though  it  was  evident  his  feelings  were  lit- 
tle interested  in  the  discussion,  "  allege  that  there  are  nations 
who  forever  walk  with  their  heads  downward,  where  the  rain 
falleth  upward,  and  where  the  sea  remaineth  in  its  bed,  though 
its  support  cometh  from  above,  and  is  not  placed  beneath  V 

"  It  is  to  explain  these  great  mysteries,  Senor  Don  Fernando, 
my  gracious  master,  that  I  would  have  this  Colon  at  once  go 
forth.  We  may  see,  nay,  we  have  demonstration,  that  the 
earth  is  a  sphere,  and  yet  we  do  not  see  that  the  waters  fall 
from  its  surface  any  where.  The  hull  of  a  ship  is  larger  than 
her  top-masts,  and  yet  the  last  are  first  visible  on  the  ocean, 
which  proveth  that  the  body  of  the  vessel  is  concealed  by  the 
form  of  the  water.  This  being  so,  and  all  who  have  voyaged 
on  the  ocean  know  it  to  be  thus,  why  doth  not  the  water  flow 
into  a  level,  here,  on  our  own  shores  ?  If  the  earth  be  round, 
there  must  be  means  to  encircle  it  by  water,  as  well  as  by  land 
— to  complete  the  entire  journey,  as  well  as  to  perform  a  part. 
Colon  proposeth  to  open  the  way  to  this  exploit,  and  the  mon- 
arch that  shall  furnish  the  means  will  live  in  the  memories  of 
our  descendants,  as  one  far  greater  than  a  conqueror.  Remem- 
ber, illustrious  Senor,  that  all  the  east  is  peopled  with  Infidels, 
and  that  the  head  of  the  church  freely  bestow eth  their  lands  on 
any  Christian  monarch  that  may  drag  them  from  their  benight- 
ed condition,  into  the  light  of  God's  favor.  Believe  me,  Doiia 
Isabella,  should  another  sovereign  grant  the  terms  Colon  re- 
quireth,  and  reap  the  advantages  that  are  likely  to  flow  from 
such  discoveries,  the  enemies  of  Spain  would  make  the  world 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  137 

ring  with  their  songs  of  triumph,  while  the  whole  peninsula 
would  mourn  over  this  unhappy  decision." 

"  Whither  hath  the  Sefior  Colon  sped  ?"  demanded  the  king, 
quickly;  all  his  political  jealousies  being  momentarily  aroused 
by  the  remarks  of  his  receiver-general :  "  He  hath  not  gone 
again  to  Don  John  of  Portugal  V 

"No,  Sefior,  my  master,  but  to  King  Louis  of  France,  a 
sovereign  whose  love  for  Aragon  amounteth  to  a  proverb." 

The  king  muttered  a  few  words  between  his  teeth,  and  he 
paced  the  apartment,  to  and  fro,  with  a  disturbed  manner ;  for, 
while  no  man  living  cared  less  to  hazard  his  means,  without 
the  prospect  of  a  certain  return,  the  idea  of  another's  reaping 
an  advantage  that  had  been  neglected  by  himself,  brought  him 
at  once  under  the  control  of  those  feelings  that  always  influenced 
his  cold  and  calculating  policy.  With  Isabella  the  case  was 
different.  Her  pious  wishes  had  ever  leaned  toward  the  ac- 
complishment of  Columbus'1  great  project,  and  her  generous 
nature  had  sympathized  deeply  with  the  noble  conception,  vast 
moral  results,  and  the  glory  of  the  enterprise.  Nothing  but 
the  manner  in  which  her  mind,  as  well  as  her  religious  aspira- 
tions, had  been  occupied  by  the  war  in  Granada,  had  prevented 
her  from  entering  earlier  into  a  full  examination  of  the  naviga- 
tor's views ;  and  she  had  yielded  to  the  counsel  of  her  con- 
fessor, in  denying  the  terms  demanded  by  Columbus,  with  a 
reluctance  it  had  not  been  easy  to  overcome.  Then  the  gentler 
feelings  of  her  sex  had  their  influence,  for,  while  she  too  re- 
flected on  what  had  just  been  urged,  her  eye  glanced  around 
the  room  and  rested  on  the  beautiful  face  of  Mercedes,  who 
sat  silent  from  diffidence,  but  whose  pale,  eloquent  countenance 
betrayed  all  the  pleadings  of  the  pure,  enthusiastic  love  of 
woman. 

"  Daughter-Marchioness,"  asked  the  queen,  turning  as  usual 
'o  her  tried  friend,  in  her  doubts,  "  what  thinkest  thou  of  this 
weighty  matter  ?  Ought  we  so  to  humble  ourselves  as  to  recal 
this  haughty  Genoese?" 

"  Say  not  haughty,  Senora,  for  to  me  he  seemeth  much  supe- 


l38  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.        - 

rior  to  any  such  feeling ;  but  rather  regard  him  as  one  that  hath 
a  just  appreciation  of  that  he  hath  in  view.  I  agree  fully  with 
the  receiver-general  in  thinking  that  Castile  will  be  much  dis- 
credited, if,  in  sooth,  a  new  world  should  be  discovered,  and 
they  who  favored  the  enterprise  could  point  to  this  court  and 
remind  it  that  the  glory  of  the  event  was  in  its  grasp,  and  that 
it  threw  it  away,  heedlessly" — 

"  And  this,  too,  on  a  mere  point  of  dignity,  Seiiora,"  put  in 
St.  Angel — "on  a  question  of  parchment  and  of  sound." 

"  Nay,  nay" — retorted  the  queen — "there  are  those  who 
think  the  honors  claimed  by  Colon  would  far  exceed  the  service, 
even  should  the  latter  equal  all  the  representations  of  the  Geno- 
ese himself." 

"  Then,  my  honored  mistress,  they  know  not  at  \what  the 
Genoese  aims.  Beflect,  Seiiora,  that  it  will  not  be  an  every-day 
deed  to  prove  that  this  earth  is  a  sphere,  by  actual  measure- 
ment, whatever  we  may  know  in  theories.  Then  cometh  the 
wealth  and  benefits  of  those  eastern  possessions,  a  quarter  of  th.£ 
world  whence  all  riches  flow — spices,  pearls,  silks,  and  the 
most  precious  metals.  After  these,  again,  cometh  the  great 
glory  of  God,  which  crowneth  and  exceedeth  all." 

Isabella  crossed  herself,  her  cheek  flushed,  her  eye  kindled, 
and  her  matronly  but  fine  form  seemed  to  tower  with  the  maj- 
esty of  the  feelings  that  these  pictures  created. 

"  I  do  fear,  Don  Fernando,"  she  said,  "  that  our  advisers  have 
been  precipitate,  and  that  the  magnitude  of  this  project  may 
justify  more  than  common  conditions !" 

But  the  king  entered  little  into  the  generous  emotions  of  his 
royal  consort;  feeling  far  more  keenly  the  stings  of  political 
jealousy,  than  any  promptings  of  a  liberal  zeal  for  either  the 
church  or  science.  He  was  generally  esteemed  a  wise  prince, 
a  title  that  would  seem  to  infer  neither  a  generous  nor  a  very 
just  one.  He  smiled  at  the  kindling  enthusiasm  of  his  wife, 
but  continued  to  peruse  a  paper  that  had  just  been  handed  to 
him  by  a  secretary. 

"  Your  Highness  feels  as  Dona  Isabella  of  Castile  ought  to 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  139 

feci  when  the  glory  of  God  and  the  honor  of  her  crown  are  in 
question,"  added  Beatriz  de  Cabrera,  using  that  freedom  of 
speech  that  her  royal  mistress  much  encouraged  in  their  more 
private  intercourse.  "  I  would  rather  hear  you  utter  the  words 
of  recall  to  this  Colon,  than  again  listen  to  the  shouts  of  our 
late  triumph  over  the  Moor." 

"  I  know  that  thou  lovest  me,  Beatriz !"  exclaimed  the  queen: 
"if  there  is  not  a  true  heart  in  that  breast  of  thine,  the  fallen 
condition  of  man  does  not  suffer  the  gem  to  exist !" 

"We  all  love  and  reverence  Your  Highness,"  continued  de 
St.  Angel,  "and  we  wish  naught  but  your  glory.  Fancy, 
Senora,  the  page  of  history  open,  and  this  great  exploit  of  the 
reduction  of  the  Moor  succeeded  by  the  still  greater  deed  of  a 
discovery  of  an  easy  and  swift  communication  with  the  Indies, 
the  spread  of  the  church,  and  the  flow  of  inexhaustible  wealth 
into  Spain  !  This  Colon  cannot  be  supported  by  the  colder  and 
more  selfish  calculations  of  man,  but  his  very  enterprise  seeks 
the  more  generous  support  of  her  who  can  risk  much  for  God's 
glory  and  the  good  of  the  church." 

"  Nay,  Senor  de  St.  Angel,  thou  flatterest  and  offendest  in 
the  same  breath." 

"It  is  an  honest  nature  pouring  out  its  disappointment,  my 
beloved  mistress,  and  a  tongue  that  hath  become  bold  through 
much  zeal  for  Your  Highnesses'  fame.  Alas  !  alas  !  should 
King  Louis  grant  the  terms  we  have  declined,  poor  Spain  will 
never  lift  her  head  again  for  very  shame  !" 

"Art  certain,  St.  Angel,  that  the  Genoese  hath  gone  for 
France  ?"  suddenly  demanded  the  king,  in  his  sharp,  authorita- 
tive voice. 

"I  have  it,  Your  Highness,  from  his  own  mouth.  Yes,  yes, 
he  is  at  this  moment  striving  to  forget  our  Castilian  dialect,  and 
endeavoring  to  suit  his  tongue  to  the  language  of  the  French- 
man. They  are  bigots  and  unreflecting  disciples  of  musty 
prejudices,  Senora,  that  deny  the  theories  of  Colon.  The  old 
philosophers  have  reasoned  in  the  same  manner ;  and  though  it 
may  seem  to  the  timid  an  audacious  and  even  a  heedless  ad- 


140  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

venture  to  sail  out  into  the  broad  Atlantic,  had  not  the  Portu- 
guese done  it  he  would  never  have  found  his  islands.  God's 
truth  !  it  maketh  my  blood  boil,  when  I  bethink  me  of  what 
these  Lusitanians  have  done,  while  we  of  Aragon  and  Cas- 
tile have  been  tilting  with  the  Infidels  for  a  few  valleys  and 
mountains,  and  contending  for  a  capital !" 

"  Senor,  you  are  forgetful  of  the  honor  of  the  sovereigns,  as 
well  as  of  the  service  of  God,"  interrupted  the  Marchioness  of 
Moya,  who  had  the  tact  to  perceive  that  the  receiver-general 
was  losing  sight  of  his  discretion,  in  the  magnitude  of  his  zeal. 
"  This  conquest  is  one  of  the  victories  of  the  church,  and  will  add 
lustre  to  the  two  crowns  in  all  future  ages.  The  head  of  the 
church,  himself,  hath  so  recognized  it,  and  all  good  Christians 
should  acknowledge  its  character." 

"  It  is  not  that  I  undervalue  this  success,  but  that  I  consider 
the  conquest  that  Colon  is  likely  to  achieve  over  so  many  mill- 
ions, that  I  have  thus  spoken,  Dona  Beatriz." 

The  marchioness,  whose  spirit  was  as  marked  as  her  love 
for  the  queen,  made  a  sharp  reply,  and,  for  a  few  minutes,  she 
and  Luis  de  St.  Angel,  with  Alonzo  de  Quintanilla,  maintained 
the  discussion  by  themselves,  while  Isabella  conversed  apart, 
with  her  husband,  no  one  presuming  to  meddle  with  their  pri- 
vate conference.  The  queen  was  earnest,  and  evidently  much 
excited,  but  Ferdinand  maintained  his  customary  coolness  and 
caution,  though  his  manner  was  marked  with  that  profound 
respect  which  the  character  of  Isabella  had  early  inspired,  and 
which  she  succeeded  in  maintaining  throughout  her  married  life. 
This  was  a  picture  familiar  to  the  courtiers,  one  of  the  sover- 
eigns being  as  remarkable  for  his  wily  prudence,  as  was  the 
other  for  her  generous  and  sincere  ardor,  whenever  impelled  by 
a  good  motive.  This  divided  discourse  lasted  half  an  hour,  the 
queen  occasionally  pausing  to  listen  to  what  was  passing  in  the 
other  group,  and  then  recurring  to  her  own  arguments  with 
her  husband. 

At  length  Isabella  left  the  side  of  Ferdinand,  who  coldly  re- 
sumed the  perusal  of  a  paper,  and  she  moved  slowly  toward  the 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  141 

excited  party,  that  was  new  unanimous  and  rather  loud  in  the 
expression  of  its  regrets — loud  for  even  the  indulgence  of  so 
gentle  a  mistress.  Her  intention  to  repress  this  ardor  by  her 
own  presence,  however,  was  momentarily  diverted  from  its  ob- 
ject by  a  glimpse  of  the  face  of  Mercedes,  who  sat  alone,  hei 
work  lying  neglected  in  her  lap,  listening  anxiously  to  the  opin- 
ions that  had  drawn  all  her  companions  to  the  general  circle. 

"  Thou  takest  no  part  in  this  warm  discussion,  child,"  ob- 
served the  queen,  stopping  before  the  chair  of  our  heroine, 
and  gazing  an  instant  into  her  eloquently  expressive  face. 
"  Hast  thou  lost  all  interest  in  Colon  ?" 

"I  speak  not,  Senora,  because  it  becometh  youth  and  igno- 
rance to  be  modest;  but  though  silent,  I  feel  none  the  less." 

"  And  what  are  thy  feelings,  daughter?  Dost  thou,  too, 
think  the  services  of  the  Genoese  cannot  be  bought  at  too  high 
a  price  V 

"  Since  Your  Highness  doth  me  this  honor,"  answered  the 
lovely  girl,  the  blood  gradually  flushing  her  pale  face,  as  she 
warmed  with  the  subject — "  I  will  not  hesitate  to  speak.  I  do 
believe  this  great  enterprise  hath  been  offered  to  the  sovereigns, 
as  a  reward  for  all  that  they  have  done  and  endured  for  religion 
and  the  church.  I  do  think  that  Colon  hath  been  guided  to 
this  court  by  a  divine  hand,  and  by  a  divine  hand  hath  he 
been  kept  here,  enduring  the  long  servitude  of  seven  years, 
rather  than  abandon  his  object;  and  I  do  think  that  this  late 
appeal  in  his  favor  cometh  of  a  power  and  spirit  that  should 
prevail." 

"Thou  art  an  enthusiast,  daughter,  more  especially  in  this 
cause,"  returned  the  queen,  smiling  kindly  on  the  blushing 
Mercedes.  "  I  am  greatly  moved  by  thy  wishes  to  aid  in  this 
enterprise  !" 

Thus  spoke  Isabella,  at  a  moment  when  she  had  neither  the 
leisure  nor  the  thought  to  analyze  her  own  feelings,  which  were 
influenced  by  a  variety  of  motives,  rather  than  by  any  single 
consideration.  Even  this  passing  touch  of  woman's  affections, 
however,  contributed  to  give  her  mind  a  new  bias,  and  she 


142  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

joined  the  group,  which  respectfully  opened  as  she  advanced, 
greatly  disposed  to  yield  to  de  St.  Angel's  well-meant  though 
somewhat  intemperate  entreaties.  Still  she  hesitated,  for  her 
wary  husband  had  just  been  reminding  her  of  the  exhausted 
state  of  the  two  treasuries,  and  the  impoverished  condition  in 
which  both  crowns  had  been  left  by  the  late  war. 

"  Daughter-Marchioness,"  said  Isabella,  slightly  answering 
the  reverences  of  the  circle,  "dost  thou  still  think  this  Colon 
expressly  called  of  God,  for  the  high  purposes  to  which  he  pre- 
tendeth  «" 

"  Senora,  I  say  not  exactly  that,  though  I  believe  the  Geno- 
ese hath  some  such  opinion  of  himself.  But  this  much  I  do 
think — that  Heaven  beareth  in  mind  its  faithful  servitors,  and 
when  there  is  need  of  important  actions,  suitable  agents  are 
chosen  for  the  work.  Now,  we  do  know  tihat  the  church,  at 
some  day,  is  to  prevail  throughout  the  whole  world ;  and  why 
may  not  this  be  the  allotted  time,  as  well  as  another  ?  God 
ordereth  mysteriously,  and  the  very  adventure  that  so  many  of 
the  learned  have  scoffed  at,  may  be  intended  to  hasten  the 
victory  of  the  church.  We  should  remember,  Your  Highness, 
the  humility  with  which  this  church  commenced ;  how  few  of 
the  seemingly  wise  lent  it  their  aid  ;  and  the  high  pass  of 
glory  to  which  it  hath  reached.  This  conquest  of  the  Moor 
savoreth  of  a  fulfilment  of  time,  and  his  reign  of  seven  cen- 
turies terminated,  may  merely  be  an  opening  for  a  more  glorious 
future." 

Isabella  smiled  upon  her  friend,  for  this  was  reasoning  after 
her  own  secret  thoughts ;  but  her  greater  acquirements  rendered 
her  more  discriminating  in  her  zeal,  than  was  the  case  with  the 
warm-hearted  and  ardent  Marchioness. 

"It  is  not  safe  to  affix  the  seal  of  Providence  to  this  or  that 
enterprise,  Daughter-Marchioness" — she  answered — "  and  the 
church  alone  may  say  what  are  intended  for  miracles,  and  what 
is  left  for  human  agencies.  What  sum  doth  Colon  need,  Seiior 
de  St.  Angel,  to  carry  on  the  adventure  in  a  manner  that  will 
content  him  ?" 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  143 

"  He  asketh  but  two  light  caravels,  my  honored  mistress,  and 
three  thousand  crowns — a  sum  that  many  a  young  spendthrift 
would  waste  on  his  pleasures,  in  a  few  short  weeks." 

"It  is  not  much,  truly,"  observed  Isabella,  who  had  been 
gradually  kindling  with  the  thoughts  of  the  nobleness  of  the 
adventure  ;  "  but,  small  as  it  is,  my  Lord  the  King  doubteth  if 
our  joint  coffers  can,  at  this  moment,  well  bear  the  drain." 

"Oh!  it  were  a  pity  that  such  an  occasion  to  serve  God, 
such  an  opportunity  to  increase  the  Christian  sway,  and  to  add 
to  the  glory  of  Spain,  should  be  lost  for  this  trifle  of  gold !" 
exclaimed  Dona  Beatriz. 

"  It  would  be,  truly,"  rejoined  the  queen,  whose  cheek  now 
glowed  with  an  enthusiasm  little  less  obvious  than  that  which 
shone  so  brightly  in  the  countenance  of  the  ardent  Mercedes. 
"  Senor  de  St.  Angel,  the  king  cannot  be  prevailed  on  to  enter 
into  this  affair,  in  behalf  of  Aragon  ;  but  I  take  it  on  myself,  as 
Queen  of  Castile,  and,  so  far  as  it  may  properly  advance  human 
interests,  for  the  benefit  of  my  own  much-beloved  people.  If 
the  royal  treasury  be  drained,  my  private  jewels  should  suffice 
for  that  small  sum,  and  I  will  freely  pledge  them  as  surety  for 
the  gold,  rather  than  let  this  Colon  depart  without  putting  the 
truth  of  his  theories  to  the  proof.  The  result,  truly,  is  of  too 
great  magnitude,  to  admit  of  further  discussion." 

An  exclamation  of  admiration  and  delight  escaped  those 
present,  for  it  was  not  a  usual  thing  for  a  princess  to  deprive 
herself  of  personal  ornaments  in  order  to  advance  either  the 
interests  of  the  church  or  those  of  her  subjects.  The  receiver- 
general,  however,  soon  removed  all  difficulties  on  the  score  of 
money,  by  saying  that  his  coffers  could  advance  the  required 
sum,  on  the  guarantee  of  the  crown  of  Castile,  and  that  the 
jewels  so  freely  offered,  might  remain  in  the  keeping  of  their 
royal  owner. 

"And  now  to  recall  Colon,"  observed  the  queen,  as  soon  as 
these  preliminaries  had  been  discussed.  "  He  hath  already  de- 
parted, you  say,  and  no  time  should  be  lost  in  acquainting  him 
with  this  new  resolution." 


144  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

"  Your  Highness  hath  here  a  willing  courier,  and  one  al- 
ready equipped  for  the  road,  in  the  person  of  Don  Luis  de 
Bobadilla,"  cried  Alonzo  de  Quintanilla,  whose  eye  had  been 
drawn  to  a  window  by  the  trampling  of  a  horse's  foot;  "  and 
the  man  who  will  more  joyfully  bear  these  tidings  to  the  Genoese 
cannot  be  found  in  Santa  Fe." 

"'Tis  scarce  a  service  suited  to  one  of  his  high  station,"  an- 
swered Isabella,  doubtingly;  "  and  yet  we  should  consider 
every  moment  of  delay  a  wrong  to  Colon'' — 

"  Nay,  Senora,  spare  not  my  nephew,"  eagerly  interposed 
Dona  Beatriz ;  "he  is  only  too  happy  at  being  employed  in 
doing  Your  Highness'  pleasure." 

"Let  him,  then,  be  summoned  to  our  presence  without  another 
instant's  delay.  I  scarce  seem  to  have  decided,  while  the  principal 
personage  of  the  great  adventure  is  journeying  from  the  court." 

A  page  was  immediately  despatched  in  quest  of  the  young 
noble,  and  in  a  few  minutes  the  footsteps  of  the  latter  were 
heard  in  the  antechamber.  Luis  entered  the  presence,  flushed, 
excited,  and  with  feelings  not  a  little  angered,  at  the  com- 
pelled departure  of  his  new  friend.  He  did  not  fail  to  impute 
the  blame  of  this  occurrence  to  those  who  had  the  power  to 
prevent  it ;  and  when  his  dark,  expressive  eye  met  the  counte- 
nance of  his  sovereign,  had  it  been  in  her  power  to  read  its 
meaning,  she  would  have  understood  that  he  viewed  her  as  a 
person  who  had  thwarted  his  hopes  on  more  than  one  occasion. 
Nevertheless,  the  influence  of  Dona  Isabella's  pure  character 
and  gentle  manners  was  seldom  forgotten  by  any  who  were 
permitted  to  approach  her  person ;  and  his  address  was  respect- 
ful, if  not  warm. 

"  It  is  Your  Highness'  pleasure  to  command  my  pres- 
ence," said  the  young  man,  as  soon  as  he  made  his  reverences 
to  the  queen. 

"  I  thank  you  for  this  promptitude,  Don  Luis,  having  some 
need  of  your  services.  Can  you  tell  us  what  hath  befel  the 
Seiior  Christoval  Colon,  the  Genoese  navigator,  with  whom, 
they  inform  me,  you  have  some  intimacy  ?" 


ME  It  CEDES      OE      CASTILE.  145 

" Forgive  me,  Seiiora,  if  auglit  unbecoming  escape  me;  but 
a  full  heart  must  be  opened  lest  it  break.  The  Genoese  is  about 
to  shake  the  dust  of  Spain  from  his  shoes,  and,  at  this  moment, 
is  on  his  journey  to  another  court,  to  proffer  those  services  that 
this  should  never  have  rejected." 

"  It  is  plain,  Don  Luis,  that  all  thy  leisure  time  hath  not 
been  passed  in  courts,"  returned  the  queen,  smiling;  "but  we 
have  now  service  for  thy  roving  propensities.  Mount  thy  steed, 
and  pursue  the  Senor  Colon,  with  the  tidings  that  his  conditions 
will  be  granted,  and  a  request  that  he  will  forthwith  return.  I 
pledge  my  royal  word,  to  send  him  forth  on  this  enterprise, 
with  as  little  delay  as  the  necessary  preparations  and  a  suitable 
prudence  will  allow." 

"  Seiiora  !  Dona  Isabella  !  My  gracious  queen  !  Do  I  hear 
aright  V 

"  As  a  sign  of  the  fidelity  of  thy  senses,  Don  Luis,  here  is  the 
pledge  of  my  hand." 

This  was  said  kindly,  and  the  gracious  manner  in  which  the 
hand  was  offered,  brought  a  gleam  of  hope  to  the  mind  of  the 
lover,  which  it  had  not  felt  since  he  had  been  apprized  that  the 
queen's  good  opinion  was  necessary  to  secure  his  happiness. 
Kneeling  respectfully,  he  kissed  the  hand  of  his  sovereign,  after 
which,  without  changing  his  attitude,  he  desired  to  know  if  he 
should  that  instant  depart  on  the  duty  she  had  named. 

"  Rise,  Don  Luis,  and  lose  not  a  moment  to  relieve  the  load- 
ed heart  of  the  Genoese — I  might  almost  say,  to  relieve  ours, 
also ;  for,  Daughter-Marchioness,  since  this  holy  enterprise 
hath  broken  on  my  mind  with  a  sudden  and  almost  miraculous 
light,  it  seemeth  that  a  mountain  must  lie  on  my  breast  until 
the  Senor  Christoval  shall  learn  the  truth  !" 

Luis  de  Bobadilla  did  not  wait  a  second  bidding,  but  hur- 
ried from  the  presence,  as  fast  as  etiquette  would  allow,  and 
the  next  minute  he  was  in  the  saddle.  At  his  appearance, 
Mercedes  had  shrunk  into  the  recess  of  a  window,  where  she 
now,  luckily,  commanded  a  view  of  the  court.  As  her  loyer 
gained  his  seat,  he  caught  a  glimpse  of  her  form  ;  and  though 


146  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

the  spurs  were  already  in  his  charger's  flanks,  the  rein  tighten- 
ed, and  the  snorting  steed  was  thrown  suddenly  on  his  haunches. 
So  elastic  are  the  feelings  of  youth,  so  deceptive  and  flattering 
the  hopes  of  those  who  love,  that  the  glances  which  were  ex- 
changed were  those  of  mutual  delight.  Neither  thought  of  all 
the  desperate  chances  of  the  contemplated  voyage ;  of  the 
probability  of  its  want  of  success  ;  or  of  the  many  motives 
which  might  still  induce  the  queen  to  withhold  her  consent. 
Mercedes  awoke  first  from  the  short  trance  that  succeeded,  for, 
taking  the  alarm  at  Luis'  indiscreet  delay,  she  motioned  him 
hurriedly  to  proceed.  Again  the  rowels  were  buried  in  the 
flanks  of  the  noble  animal ;  fire  flashed  beneath  his  armed 
heels,  and,  at  the  next  minute,  Don  Luis  de  Bobadilla  had  dis- 
appeared. 

In  the  mean  time  Columbus  had  pursued  his  melancholy 
journey  across  the  Vega.  He  travelled  slowly,  and  several 
times,  even  after  his  companion  had  left  him,  did  he  check  his 
mule,  and  sit,  with  his  head  dropped  upon  his  breast,  lost  in 
thought,  the  very  picture  of  woe.  The  noble  resignation  that 
he  manifested  in  public,  nearly  gave  way  in  private,  and  he  felt, 
indeed,  how  hard  his  disappointments  were  to  be  borne.  In 
this  desultory  manner  of  travelling  he  had  reached  the  cele- 
brated pass  of  the  Bridge  of  Pinos,  the  scene  of  many  a  san- 
guinary combat,  when  the  sound  of  a  horse's  hoofs  first  over- 
took his  ear.  Turning  his  head,  he  recognized  Luis  de  Boba- 
dilla in  hot  pursuit,  with  the  flanks  of  his  horse  dyed  in  blood, 
and  his  breast  white  with  foam. 

"  Joy  !  joy  !  a  thousand  times,  joy,  Seiior  Colon,"  shouted 
the  eager  youth,  even  before  he  was  near  enough  to  be  distinct- 
ly heard.  "  Blessed  Maria  be  praised  !  Joy  !  Seiior,  joy  !  and 
naught  but  joy  !" 

"This  is  unexpected,  Don  Luis,"  exclaimed  the  navigator, 
"  What  meaneth  thy  return  !" 

Luis  now  attempted  to  explain  his  errand,  but  eagerness  and 
the  want  of  breath  rendered  his  ideas  confused  and  his  utterance 
broken  and  imperfect. 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  H  7 

"  And  why  should  I  return  to  a  hesitating,  cold,  and  unde- 
decided  court  ?"  demanded  Columbus.  "  Have  I  not  wasted 
years  in  striving  to  urge  it  to  its  own  good  ?  Look  at  these 
hairs,  young  Senor,  and  remember  that  I  have  lost  a  time  that 
nearly  equals  all  thy  days,  in  striving  uselessly  to  convince 
the  rulers  of  this  peninsula  that  my  project  is  founded  on 
truth." 

"  At  length  you  have  succeeded.  Isabella,  the  true-hearted 
and  never-deceiving  Queen  of  Castile,  herself  hath  awoke  to  the 
importance  of  thy  scheme,  and  pledges  her  royal  word  to 
favor  it." 

"  Is  this  true  ?     Can  this  be  true,  Don  Luis  ?" 

"  I  am  sent  to  you  express,  Senor,  to  urge  your  immediate 
return." 

"  By  whom,  young  Lord  ?" 

"  By  Dona  Isabella,  my  gracious  mistress,  through  her  own 
personal  commands." 

"  I  cannot  forego  a  single  condition  already  offered.' ' 

"  It  is  not  expected,  Senor.  Our  excellent  and  generous  mis- 
tress granteth  all  you  ask,  and  hath  nobly  offered,  as  I  learn,  to 
pledge  her  private  jewels,  rather  than  that  the  enterprise  fail." 

Columbus  was  deeply  touched  with  this  information,  and,  re- 
moving his  cap,  he  concealed  his  face  with  it  for  a  moment, 
as  if  ashamed  to  betray  the  weakness  that  came  over  him. 
When  he  uncovered  his  face  it  was  radiant  with  happiness, 
and  every  doubt  appeared  to  have  vanished.  Years  of  suffering 
were  forgotten  in  that  moment  of  joy,  and  he  immediately 
signified  his  readiness  to  accompany  the  youth  back  to 
Santa  Fe. 


118  MERCEDES      OF      CASTIL] 


CHAPTER  IX. 

"  How  beautiful  is  genius  when  combined 
With  holiness !    Oh !  how  divinely  sweet 
The  tones  of  earthly  harp,  whose  cords  are  touehM 
By  the  soft  hand  of  Piety,  and  hung 
Upon  Religion's  shrine,  there  vibrating 
With  solemn  music  in  the  air  of  God  1" 

John  Wilsox. 

Columbus  was  received  by  his  friends,  Luis  de  St.  Angel  and 
Alonzo  de  Quintanilla,  with  a  gratification  they  found  it  difficult 
to  express.  They  were  loud  in  their  eulogiums  on  Isabella,  and 
added  to  the  assurances  of  Don  Luis,  such  proofs  of  the  serious- 
ness of  the  queen's  intentions,  as  to  remove  all  doubts  from  the 
mind  of  the  navigator.  He  was  then,  without  further  delay, 
conducted  to  the  presence. 

"  Senor  Colon,"  said  Isabella,  as  the  Genoese  advanced  and 
knelt  at  her  feet,  "  you  are  welcome  back  again.  All  our  mis- 
understandings are  finally  removed,  and  henceforth,  I  trust  that 
we  shall  act  cheerfully  and  unitedly  to  produce  the  same  great 
end.  Else,  Senor,  and  receive  this  as  a  gage  of  my  support 
and  friendship. " 

Columbus  saluted  the  offered  hand,  and  arose  from  his  knees. 
At  that  instant,  there  was  probably  no  one  present  whose  feel- 
ings were  not  raised  to  the  buoyancy  of  hope  ;  for  it  was  a  pe- 
culiarity connected  with  the  origin  and  execution  of  this  great 
enterprise,  that,  after  having  been  urged  for  so  long  a  period, 
amid  sneers,  and  doubts,  and  ridicule,  it  was  at  first  adopted 
with  something  very  like  enthusiasm. 

"  Senora,"  returned  Columbus,  whose  grave  aspect  and  noble 
mien  contributed  not  a  little  to  the  advancement  of  his  views 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  149 

— "  Senora,  my  heart  thanks  you  for  this  kindness — so  wel- 
come because  so  little  hoped  for  this  morning — and  God  will 
reward  it.  We  have  great  things  in  reserve,  and  I  devout- 
ly wish  we  may  all  be  found  equal  to  our  several  duties.  I 
hope  my  Lord  the  King  will  not  withhold  from  my  undertaking 
the  light  of  his  gracious  countenance." 

"  You  are  a  servitor  of  Castile,  Senor  Colon,  though  little  is 
attempted  for  even  this  kingdom,  without  the  approbation  and 
consent  of  the  King  of  Aragon.  Don  Fernando  hath  been  gained 
over  to  our  side,  though  his  greater  caution  and  superior 
wisdom  have  not  as  easily  fallen  into  the  measure,  as  woman's 
faith  and  woman's  hopes." 

"  I  ask  no  higher  wisdom,  no  truer  faith  than  those  of  Isa- 
bella's," said  the  navigator,  with  a  grave  dignity  that  rendered 
the  compliment  so  much  the  more  acceptable,  by  giving  it 
every  appearance  of  sincerity.  Her  known  prudence  shall  turn 
from  me  the  derision  of  the  light-minded  and  idle,  and  on  her 
royal  word  I  place  all  my  hopes.  Henceforth,  and  I  trust  for- 
ever, I  am  Your  Highness'  subject  and  servant." 

The  queen  was  deeply  impressed  with  the  air  of  lofty  truth 
that  elevated  the  thoughts  and  manners  of  the  speaker.  Hith- 
erto she  had  seen  but  little  of  the  navigator,  and  never  before 
under  circumstances  that  enabled  her  so  thoroughly  to  feel  the 
influence  of  his  air  and  deportment.  Columbus  had  not  the 
finish  of  manner  that  it  is  fancied  courts  only  can  bestow,  and 
which  it  would  be  more  just  to  refer  to  lives  devoted  to  habits 
of  pleasing ;  but  the  character  of  the  man  shone  through  the 
exterior,  and,  in  his  case,  all  that  artificial  training  could  sup- 
ply fell  short  of  the  noble  aspect  of  nature,  sustained  by  high 
aspirations.  To  a  commanding  person,  and  a  gravity  that  was 
heightened  by  the  loftiness  of  his  purposes,  Columbus  added 
the  sober  earnestness  of  a  deeply-seated  and  an  all-pervading 
enthusiasm,  which  threw  the  grace  of  truth  and  probity  on 
what  he  said  and  did.  No  quality  of  his  mind  was  more  appa- 
rent than  its  sense  of  right,  as  right  was  then  considered  in 
connection  with  the  opinions  of  the  age ;  and  it  is  a  singular 
7 


150  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

circumstance  that  the  greatest  adventure  of  modern  times 
was  thus  confided  by  Providence,  as  it  might  be  with  especial 
objects,  to  the  care  of  a  sovereign  and  to  the  hands  of  an 
executive  leader,  who  were  equally  distinguished  by  the  pos- 
session of  so  rare  a  characteristic. 

"  I  thank  you,  Seiior,  for  this  proof  of  confidence,"  returned 
the  queen,  both  surprised  and  gratified ;  "  and  so  long  as  God 
giveth  me  power  to  direct,  and  knowledge  to  decide,  your  in- 
terests as  well  as  those  of  this  long-cherished  scheme,  shall  be 
looked  to.  But  we  are  not  to  exclude  the  king  from  our  con- 
federacy, since  he  hath  been  finally  gained  to  our  opinions,  and 
no  doubt  now  as  anxiously  looketh  forward  to  success  as  we  do 
ourselves." 

Columbus  bowed  his  acquiescence,  and  the  conjugal  affection 
of  Isabella  was  satisfied  with  this  concession  to  her  husband's 
character  and  motives ;  for,  while  it  was  impossible  that  one  so 
pure  and  ardent  in  the  cause  of  virtue,  and  as  disinterested  as 
the  queen,  should  not  detect  some  of  the  selfishness  of  Ferdi- 
nand's cautious  policy,  the  feelings  of  a  wife  so  far  prevailed  in 
her  breast  over  the  sagacity  of  the  sovereign,  as  to  leave  her 
blind  to  faults  that  the  enemies  of  Aragon  were  fond  of  dwell- 
ing on.  All  admitted  the  truth  of  Isabella,  but  Ferdinand  had 
far  less  credit  with  his  contemporaries,  either  on  the  score  of 
faith  or  on  £hat  of  motives.  Still  he  might  have  been  ranked 
among  the  most  upright  of  the  reigning  princes  of  Europe,  his 
faults  being  rendered  more  conspicuous,  perhaps,  from  being 
necessarily  placed  in  such  close  connection  with,  and  in  such 
vivid  contrast  to,  the  truer  virtues  of  the  queen.  In  short,  these 
two  sovereigns,  so  intimately  united  by  personal  and  political 
interests,  merely  exhibited  on  their  thrones  a  picture  that  may 
be  seen,  at  any  moment,  in  all  the  inferior  gradations  of  the 
social  scale,  in  which  the  worldly  views  and  meretricious  mo- 
tives of  man  serve  as  foils  to  the  truer  heart,  sincerer  character, 
and  more  chastened  conduct  of  woman. 

Don  Fepnando  now  appeared,  and  he  joined  in  the  discourse 
in  a  manner  to  show  that  he  considered  himself  fully  committed 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  151 

to  redeem  the  pledges  given  by  his  wife.  The  historians  have 
told  us  that  he  had  been  won  over  by  the  intercessions  of  a 
favorite,  though  the  better  opinion  would  seem  to  be  that  def- 
erence for  Isabella,  whose  pure  earnestness  in  the  cause  of  vir- 
tue often  led  him  from  his  more  selfish  policy,  lay  at  the  bottom 
of  his  compliance.  Whatever  may  have  been  the  motive,  how- 
ever, it  is  certain  that  the  -king  never  entered  into  the  undertak- 
ing with  the  ardent,  zealous  endeavors  to  insure  success,  which 
from  that  moment  distinguished  the  conduct  of  his  royal  con- 
sort. 

"  We  have  recovered  our  truant,"  said  Isabella,  as  her  hus- 
band approached,  her  eyes  lighting  and  her  cheeks  flushed  with 
a  pious  enthusiasm,  like  those  of  Mercedes  de  Valverde,  who 
was  an  entranced  witness  of  all  that  was  passing.  "  We  have 
recovered  our  truant,  and  there  is  not  a  moment  of  unnecessary 
delay  to  be  permitted,  until  he  shall  be  sent  forth  on  this  great 
voyage.  Should  he  truly  attain  Cathay  and  the  Indies,  it  will 
be  a  triumph  to  the  church  even  exceeding  this  conquest  of  the 
territories  of  the  Moor." 

"  I  am  pleased  to  see  the  Senor  Colon  at  Santa  Fe,  again," 
courteously  returned  the  king,  "  and  if  he  but  do  the  half  of 
that  thou  seemest  to  expect,  we  shall  have  reason  to  rejoice  that 
our  countenance  hath  not  been  withheld.  He  may  not  render 
the  crown  of  Castile  still  more  powerful,  but  he  may  so  far  en- 
rich himself  that,  as  a  subject,  he  will  have  difficulty  in  finding 
the  proper  uses  for  his  gold." 

"There  will  always  be  a  use  for  the  gold  of  a  Christian," 
answered  the  navigator,  "  while  the  Infidel  remaineth  the  mas- 
ter of  the  Holy  Sepulchre." 

"How  is  this!"  exclaimed  Ferdinand,  in  his  quick,  sharp 
voice :  "  dost  thou  think,  Senor,  of  a  crusade,  as  well  as  of  dis- 
covering new  regions  ?" 

"  Such,  Your  Highness,  it  hath  long  been  my  hope,  would  be 
the  first  appropriation  of  the  wealth  that  will,  out  of  question, 
flow  from  the  discovery  of  a  new  and  near  route  to  the  Indies. 
Is  it  not  a  blot  on  Christendom  that  the  Mussulman  should  be 


152  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

permitted  to  raise  his  profane  altars  on  the  spot  that  Christ 
visited  on  earth  ;  where,  indeed  he  was  born,  and  where  his 
holy  remains  lay  until  his  glorious  resurrection  ?  This  foul  dis- 
grace there  are  hearts  and  swords  enough  ready  to  wipe  out ; 
all  that  is  wanted  is  gold.  If  the  first  desire  of  my  heart  be  to 
become  the  instrument  of  leading  the  way  to  the  East,  by  a 
western  and  direct  passage,  the  second  is,  to  see  the  riches  that 
will  certainly  follow  such  a  discovery,  devoted  to  the  service  of 
God,  by  rearing  anew  his  altars  and  reviving  his  worship,  in  the 
land  where  he  endured  his  agony  and  gave  up  the  ghost  for  the 
sins  of  men." 

Isabella  smiled  at  the  navigator  s  enthusiasm,  though,  sooth 
to  say,  the  sentiment  found  something  of  an  echo  in  her  pious 
bosom ;  albeit  the  age  of  crusades  appeared  to  have  gone  by. 
Not  so  exactly  with  Ferdinand.  He  smiled  also,  but  no  an- 
swering sentiment  of  holy  zeal  was  awakened  within  him.  He 
felt,  on  the  contrary,  a  strong  distrust  of  the  wisdom  of  com- 
mitting the  care  of  even  two  insignificant  caravels,  and  the  fate 
of  a  sum  as  small  as  three  thousand  crowns,  to  a  visionary,  who 
had  scarcely  made  a  commencement  in  one  extremely  equivocal 
enterprise,  before  his  thoughts  were,  running  on  the  execution 
of  another,  that  had  baffled  the  united  efforts  and  pious  con- 
stancy of  all  Europe.  To  him,  the  discovery  of  a  western  pas- 
sage to  the  Indies,  and  the  repossession  of  the  holy  sepulchre, 
were  results  that  were  equally  problematical,  and  it  would  have 
been  quite  sufficient  to  incur  his  distrust,  to  believe  in  the  prac- 
ticability of  either.  Here,  however,  was  a  man  who  was  abcut 
to  embark  in  an  attempt  to  execute  the  first,  holding  in  reserve 
the  last,  as  a  consequence  of  success  in  the  undertaking  in 
which  he  was  already  engaged. 

There  were  a  few  minutes,  during  which  Ferdinand  seriously 
contemplated  the  defeat  of  the  Genoese's  schemes,  and  had 
the  discourse  terminated  here,  it  is  uncertain  how  far  his  cool 
and  calculating  policy  might  have  prevailed  over  the  good 
faith,  sincere  integrity,  and  newly  awakened  enthusiasm  of  his 
wife.     Fortunately,  the    conversation   had   gone  on  while    he 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  15S 

was  meditating  on  this  subject,  and  when  lie  rejoined  the  circle 
he  found  the  queen  and  the  navigator  pursuing  the  subject 
with  an  earnestness  that  had  entirely  overlooked  his  momentary 
absence. 

"  I  shall  show  Your  Highness  all  that  she  demandeth,"  con- 
tinued Columbus,  in  answer  to  a  question  of  the  queen's.  "  It 
is  my  expectation  to  reach  the  territories  of  the  Great  Khan, 
the  descendant  of  the  monarch  who  was  visited  by  the  Polos, 
a  century  since  ;  at  which  time  a  strong  desire  to  embrace  the 
religion  of  Christ  was  manifested  by  many  in  that  gorgeous 
court,  the  sovereign  included.  We  are  told  in  the  sacred 
books  of  prophecy,  that  the  clay  is  to  arrive  when  the  whole 
earth  will  worship  the  true  and  living  God ;  and  that  time,  it 
would  seem,  from  many  signs  and  tokens  that  are  visible  to 
those  who  seek  them,  draweth  near,  and  is  full  of  hope  to  such 
as  honor  God  and  seek  his  glory.  To  bring  all  those  vast  re- 
gions in  subjection  to  the  church,  needeth  but  a  constant  faith, 
sustained  by  the  delegated  agencies  of  the  priesthood,  and  the 
protecting  hands  of  princes." 

"  This  hath  a  seeming  probability,"  observed  the  queen,  "  and 
Providence  so  guide  us  in  this  mighty  undertaking,  that  it  may 
come  to  pass  !     Were  those  Polos  pious  missionaries,  Senor  f" 

"  They  were  but  travellers  ;  men  who  sought  their  own  ad- 
vantage, while  they  were  not  altogether  unmindful  of  the  duties 
of  religion.  It  may  be  well,  Senora,  first  to  plant  the  cross  in. 
the  islands,  and  thence  to  spread  the  truth  over  the  main  land. 
Cipango,  in  particular,  is  a  promising  region  for  the  commence- 
ment of  the  glorious  work,  which,  no  doubt,  will  proceed  with 
all  the  swiftness  of  a  miracle." 

"  Is  this  Cipango  known  to  produce  spices,  or  aught  that 
may  serve  to  uphold  a  sinking  treasury,  and  repay  us  for  so 
much  cost  and  risk?"  asked  the  king,  a  little  inopportunely  for 
the  zeal  of  the  two  other  interlocutors. 

Isabella*  looked  pained,  the  prevailing  trait  in  Ferdinand's 
character  often  causing  her  to  feel  as  affectionate  wives  are 
wont  to  feel  when  their  husbands  forget  to  think,  act,  or  speak 


154  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

up  to  the  level  of  their  own  warm-hearted  and  virtuous  propen- 
sities ;  but  she  suffered  no  other  sign  of  the  passing  emotions 
to  escape  her. 

"According  to  the  accounts  of  Marco  Polo,  Your  High- 
ness," answered  Columbus,  "  earth  hath  no  richer  island.  It 
aboundeth  especially  in  gold ;  nor  are  pearls  and  precious 
stones  at  all  rare.  But  all  that  region  is  a  quarter  of  infinite 
wealth  and  benighted  infidelity.  Providence  seemeth  to  have 
united  the  first  with  the  last,  as  a  reward  to  the  Christian  mon- 
arch who  shall  use  his  power  to  extend  the  swTay  of  the  church. 
The  sea,  thereabouts,  is  covered  with  smaller  islands,  Marco 
telling  us  that  no  less  than  seven  thousand  four  hundred  and 
forty  have  been  enumerated,  not  one  of  all  which  doth  not  pro- 
duce some  odoriferous  tree,  or  plant  of  delicious  perfume.  It 
is  then,  thither,  gracious  Lord  and  Lady,  my  honored  sove- 
reigns, that  I  propose  to  proceed  at  once,  leaving  all  meaner 
objects,  to  exalt  the  two  kingdoms  and  to  serve  the  church. 
Should  we  reach  Cipango  in  safety,  as,  by  the  blessing  of  God, 
acting  on  a  zeal  and  faith  that  are  not  easily  shaken,  I  trust  we 
shall  be  able  to  do,  in  the  course  of  two  months'  diligent  navi- 
gation, it  will  be  my  next  purpose  to  pass  over  to  the  continent, 
and  seek  the  Khan  himself,  in  his  kingdom  of  Cathay.  The 
day  that  my  foot  touches  the  land  of  Asia  will  be  a  glorious 
day  for  Spain,  and  for  all  who  have  had  a  part  in  the  accom- 
plishment of  so  great  an  enterprise  !" 

Ferdinand's  keen  eyes  were  riveted  on  the  navigator,  as  he 
thus  betrayed  his  hopes  with  the  quiet  but  earnest  manner  of 
deep  enthusiasm,  and  he  might  have  been  at  a  loss,  himself, 
just  at  that  moment,  to  have  analyzed  his  own  feelings.  Tin. 
picture  of  wealth  that  Columbus  had  conjured  to  his  imagina 
tion,  was  as  enticing,  as  his  cold  and  calculating  habits  of  dis- 
trust and  caution  rendered  it  questionable.  Isabella  heard  only, 
or  thought  only,  of  the  pious  longings  of  her  pure  spirit  for  the 
conversion  and  salvation  of  the  Infidels,  and  thus  each  of  the 
two  sovereigns  had  a  favorite  impulse  to  bind  him,  or  her,  to 
the  prosecution  of  the  voyage. 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  155 

After  this,  the  conversation  entered  more  into  details,  and 
the  heads  of  the  terras  demanded  by  Columbus  were  gone  over 
again,  and  approved  of  by  those  who  were  most  interested  in 
the  matter.  All  thought  of  the  archbishop  and  his  objections 
was  momentarily  lost,  and  had  the  Genoese  been  a  monarch, 
treating  with  monarchs,  he  could  not  have  had  more  reason  to 
be  satisfied  with  the  respectful  manner  in  which  his  terms  were 
heard.  Even  his  proposal  to  receive  one-eighth  of  the  profits 
of  this,  and  all  future  expeditions  to  the  places  he  might  dis- 
cover, on  condition  of  his  advancing  an  equal  proportion  of  the 
outfits,  was  cheerfully  acceded  to  ;  making  him,  at  once,  a  part- 
ner with  the  crown,  in  the  risks  and  benefits  of  the  many 
undertakings  that  it  was  hoped  would  follow  from  the  success 
of  this. 

Luis  de  St.  Angel  and  Alonzo  de  Quintanilla  quitted  the 
royal  presence,  in  company  with  Columbus.  They  saw  him  to 
his  lodgings,  and  left  him  with  a  respect  and  cordiality  of  man- 
ner, that  cheered  a  heart  which  had  lately  been  so  bruised  and 
disappointed.  As  they  walked  away  in  company,  the  former, 
who,  notwithstanding  the  liberality  of  his  views  and  his  strong 
support  of  the  navigator,  was  not  apt  to  suppress  his  thoughts, 
opened  a  dialogue  in  the  following  manner. 

"  By  all  the  saints!  friend  Alonzo,"  he  exclaimed,  "  but  this 
Colon  carrieth  it  with  a  high  hand  among  us,  and  in  a  way, 
sometimes,  to  make  me  doubt  the  prudence  of  our  interference. 
He  hath  treated  with  the  two  sovereigns  like  a  monarch,  and 
like  a  monarch  hath  he  carried  his  point !" 

"  Who  hath  aided  him  more  than  thyself,  friend  Luis?"  re- 
turned Alonzo  de  Quintanilla ;  "for,  without  thy  bold  assault 
on  Dona  Isabella's  patience,  the  matter  had  been  decided 
against  this  voyage,  and  the  Genoese  would  still  be  on  his  way 
to  the  court  of  King  Louis. " 

"  I  regret  it  not ;  the  chance  of  keeping  the  Frenchman  within 
modest  bounds  being  worth  a  harder  effort.  Her  Highness — 
Heaven  and  all  the  saints  unite  to  bless  her  for  her  upright  in- 
tentions and  generous  thoughts — will  never  regret  the  trifling 


15G  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

cost,  even  though  bootless,  with  so  great  an  aim  in  view.  But 
now  the  thing  is  done,  I  marvel,  myself,  that  a  Queen  of  Castile 
and  a  King  of  Aragon  should  grant  such  conditions  to  an  un- 
known and  nameless  sea-farer ;  one  that  hath  neither  services, 
family,  nor  gold,  to  recommend  him  !" 

"  Hath  he  not  had  Luis  de  St.  Angel  of  his  side  ?" 

"That  hath  he,"  returned  the  receiver-general,  "  and  that 
right  stoutly,  too ;  and  for  good  and  sufficient  cause.  I  only 
marvel  at  our  success,  and  at  the  manner  in  wThich  this  Colon 
hath  borne  himself  in  the  affair.  I  much  feared  that  the  high 
price  he  set  upon  his  services  might  ruin  all  our  hopes." 

"  And  yet  thou  didst  reason  with  the  queen,  as  if  thou 
thoughtst  it  insignificant,  compared  with  the  good  that  would 
come  of  the  voyage." 

"  Is  there  aught  wonderful  in  this,  my  worthy  friend  ?  We 
consume  our  means  in  efforts  to  obtain  our  ends,  and,  while 
suffering  under  the  exhaustion,  begin  first  to  see  the  other  side 
of  the  question.  I  am  chiefly  surprised  at  mine  own  success ! 
As  for  this  Genoese,  he  is,  truly,  a  most  wonderful  man,  and, 
in  my  heart,  I  think  him  right  in  demanding  such  high  condi- 
tions. If  he  succeed,  who  so  great  as  he  ?  and,  if  he  fail,  the 
conditions  will  do  him  no  good,  and  Castile  little  harm." 

"  I  have  remarked,  Sen.or  de  St  Angel,  that  when  grave  men 
set  alight  value  on  themselves,  the  world  is  apt  to  take  them 
at  their  word,  though  willing  enough  to  laugh  at  the  preten- 
sions of  triflers.  After  all,  the  high  demands  of  Colon  may 
have  done  him  much  service,  since  their  Highnesses  could  not 
but  feel  that  they  were  negotiating  with  one  who  had  faith  in 
his  own  projects." 

"  It  is  much  as  thou  say  est,  Alonzo  ;  men  often  prizing  us  as 
we  seem  to  prize  ourselves,  so  long  as  we  act  at  all  up  to  the 
level  of  our  pretensions.  But  there  is  sterling  merit  in  this 
Colon  to  sustain  him  in  all  that  he  sayeth  and  doth ;  wisdom 
of  speech,  dignity  and  gravity  of  mien,  and  nobleness  of  feeling 
and  sentiment.  Truly,  I  have  listened  to  the  man  when  he 
hath  seemed  inspired !" 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  157 

"  Well,  lie  hatli  now  good  occasion  to  manifest  whether  this 
inspiration  be  of  the  true  quality  or  not,"  returned  the  other. 
"  Of  a  verity,  I  often  distrust  the  wisdom  of  our  own  conclu- 
sions.1' 

In  this  manner  did  even  these  two  zealous  friends  of  Colum- 
bus discuss  his  character  and  chances  of  success ;  for,  while 
they  were  among  the  most  decided  of  his  supporters,  and  had 
discovered  the  utmost  readiness  to  uphold  him  when  his  cause 
seemed  hopeless,  now  that  the  means  were  likely  to  be  afforded 
to  allow  him  to  demonstrate  the  justice  of  his  opinions,  doubts 
and  misgivings  beset  their  minds.  Such  is  human  nature.  Op- 
position awakens  our  zeal,  quickens  our  apprehension,  stimu- 
lates our  reason,  and  emboldens  our  opinions ;  while,  thrown 
back  upon  ourselves  for  the  proofs  of  what  we  have  been  long 
stoutly  maintaining  under  the  pressure  of  resistance,  we  begin 
to  distrust  the  truth  of  our  own  theories  and  to  dread  the  dem- 
onstrations of  a  failure.  Even  the  first  disciples  of  the  Son  of 
God  faltered  most  in  their  faith  as  his  predictions  were  being 
realized ;  and  most  reformers  are  never  so  dogmatical  and  cer- 
tain as  when  battling  for  their  principles,  or  so  timid  and  wa- 
vering as  when  they  are  about  to  put  their  own  long-cherished 
plans  in  execution.  In  all  this  we  might  see  a  wise  provision 
of  Providence,  which  gives  us  zeal  to  overcome  difficulties,  and 
prudence  when  caution  and  moderation  become  virtues  rather 
than  faults. 

Although  Luis  dc  St.  Angel  and  his  friend  conversed  thus 
freely  together,  however,  they  did  not  the  less  continue  true  to 
their  original  feelings.  Their  doubts  were  transient  and  of  little 
account ;  and  it  was  remarked  of  them,  whenever  they  w7ere  in 
the  presence  of  Columbus  himself,  that  the  calm,  steady,  but 
deeply  seated  enthusiasm  of  that  extraordinary  man,  did  not 
fail  to  carry  with  him  the  opinions,  not  only  of  these  steady 
supporters,  but  those  of  most  other  listeners. 


168  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 


CHAPTER  X. 

— "  Song  is  on  thy  hills : 
Oh,  sweet  and  mournful  melodies  of  Spain, 
That  lulFd  my  boyhood,  how  your  memory  thrills 
The  exile's  heart  with  sudden-wakening  pain.1' 

The  Forest  Sanctuary. 

From  the  m<  ment  that  Isabella  pledged  her  royal  word  to 
support  Columbus  in  his  great  design,  all  reasonable  doubts 
of  the  sailing  of  the  expedition  ceased,  though  few  anticipated 
any  results  of  importance.  Of  so  much  greater  magnitude, 
indeed,  did  the  conquest  of  the  kingdom  of  Granada  appear, 
at  that  instant,  than  any  probable  consequences  which  could 
follow  from  this  novel  enterprise,  that  the  latter  was  almost 
overlooked  in  the  all-absorbing  interest  that  was  connected  with 
the  former. 

There  was  one  youthful  and  generous  heart,  however,  all  of 
whose  hopes  were  concentrated  in  the  success  of  the  great  voy- 
age. It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  add,  we  mean  that  of  Mercedes 
de  Valverde.  She  had  watched  the  recent  events  as  they  oc- 
curred, with  an  intensity  of  expectation  that  perhaps  none  but 
the  youthful,  fervent,  inexperienced,  and  uncorrupted,  can  feel : 
and  now  that  all  her  hopes  were  about  to  be  realized,  a  tender 
and  generous  joy  diffused  itself  over  her  whole  moral  system, 
in  a  way  to  render  her  happiness,  for  the  time,  even  blissful. 
Although  she  loved  so  truly  and  with  so  much  feminine  devot- 
edness,  nature  had  endowed  this  warm-hearted  young  creature 
with  a  sagacity  and  readiness  of  apprehension,  which,  when 
quickened  by  the  sentiments  that  are  so  apt  to  concentrate 
all  the  energies  of  her  sex,  showed  her  the  propriety  of  the 
distrust  of  the  queen    and   her   guardian,    and   fully  justified 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  159 

their  hesitation  in  her  eyes,  which  were  rather  charmed  than 
blinded  by  the  ascendency  of  her  passion.  She  knew  too  well 
what  was  due  to  her  virgin  fame,  her  high  expectations,  her 
great  name,  and  her  elevated  position  near  the  person,  and  in 
the  immediate  confidence  of  Isabella,  even  to  wish  her  hand 
unworthily  bestowed ;  and  while  she  deferred,  with  the  dignity 
and  discretion  of  birth  and  female  decorum,  to  all  that  opinion 
and  prudence  could  have  a  right  to  ask  of  a  noble  maiden,  she 
confided  in  her  lover's  power  to  justify  her  choice*  with  the 
boundless  confidence  of  a  woman.  Her  aunt  had  taught  her  to 
believe  that  this  voyage  of  the  Genoese  was  likely  to  lead  to  great 
events,  and  her  religious  enthusiasm,  like  that  of  the  queen's, 
led  her  to  expect  most  of  that  which  she  so  fervently  wished. 

During  the  time  it  was  known  to  those  near  the  person  of 
Isabella,  that  the  conditions  between  the  sovereigns  and  the 
navigators  were  being  reduced  to  writing  and  were  receiving  the 
necessary  forms,  Luis  neither  sought  an  interview  with  his  mis- 
tress, nor  was  accidentally  favored  in  that  way  ;  but,  no  sooner 
was  it  understood  Columbus  had  effected  all  that  he  deemed 
necessary  in  this  particular,  and  had  quitted  the  court  for  the 
coast,  than  the  young  man  threw  himself,  at  once,  on  the  gene- 
rosity of  his  aunt,  beseeching  her  to  favor  his  views  now  that  he 
was  about  to  leave  Spain  on  an  adventure  that  most  regarded 
as  desperate.  All  he  asked  was  a  pledge  of  being  well  receiv- 
ed by  his  mistress  and  her  friends,  on  his  return  successful. 

"  I  see  that  thou  hast  taken  a  lesson  from  this  new  master  of 
thine,"  answered  the  high-souled  but  kind-hearted  Beatriz,  smil- 
ing— "  and  would  fain  have  thy  terms  also.  But  thou  knowest, 
Luis,  that  Mercedes  de  Yalverde  is  no  peasant's  child  to  be 
lightly  cared  for,  but  that  she  cometh  of  the  noblest  blood  of 
Spain,  having  had  a  Guzman  for  a  mother,  and  Mendozas  out 
of  number  among  her  kinsmen.  She  is,  moreover,  one  of  the 
richest  heiresses  of  Castile ;  and  it  would  ill  become  her  guard- 
ian to  forget  her  watchfulness,  under  such  circumstances,  in  be- 
half of  one  of  the  idle  wanderers  of  Christendom,  simply  be- 
cause he  happeneth  to  be  her  own  beloved  brother's  son." 


160  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

"  And  if  the  Dona  Mercedes  be  all  thou  say  est,  Senora — and 
thou  hast  not  even  touched  upon  her  highest  claims  to  merit, 
her  heart,  her  beauty,  her  truth,  and  her  thousand  virtues — but 
if  she  be  all  that  thou  sayest,  Dona  Beatriz,  is  a  Bobadilla  un- 
worthy of  her  V 

"  How  !  if  she  be,  moreover,  all  thou  sayest  too,  Don  Luis! 
The  heart,  the  truth,  and  the  thousand  virtues !  Methinks  a 
shorter  catalogue  might  content  one  who  is  himself  so  great  a 
rover,  lest  some  of  these  qualities  be  lost  in  his  many  jour* 
neys  I" 

Luis  laughed,  in  spite  of  himself,  at  the  affected  seriousness 
of  his  aunt ;  and  then  successfully  endeavoring  to  repress  a 
little  resentment  that  her  language  awakened,  he  answered  in 
a  way  to  do  no  discredit  to  a  well-established  reputation  for 
good-nature. 

"I  cannot  call  thee  l Daughter-Marchioness,'  in  imitation  of 
Her  Highness,"  he  answered,  with  a  coaxing  smile,  so  like  that 
her  deceased  brother  was  wont  to  use  when  disposed  to  wheedle 
her  out  of  some  concession,  that  it  fairly  caused  Doila  Beatriz 
to  start — "but  I  can  say  with  more  truth,  '  Aunt-Marchioness,' 
— and  a  very  dear  aunt,  too — wilt  thou  visit  a  little  youthful  in- 
discretion so  severely  ?  I  had  hoped,  now  Colon  was  about  to 
set  forth,  that  all  was  forgotten  in  the  noble  and  common  end 
w7e  have  in  fiew." 

"Luis,"  returned  the  aunt,  regarding  her  nephew  with  the 
severe  resolution  that  was  so  often  exhibited  in  her  acts  as  well 
as  in  her  words,  "  dost  think  that  a  mere  display  of  courage 
will  prove  sufficient  to  win  Mercedes  from  me  ?  to  put  to  sleep 
the  vigilance  of  her  friends  ?  to  gain  the  approbation  of  her 
guardian  ?  Learn,  too  confident  boy,  that  Mercedes  de  Guzman 
was  the  companion  of  my  childhood ;  my  warmest,  dearest 
friend,  next  to  Her  Highness ;  and  that  she  put  all  faith  in  my 
disposition  to  do  full  justice  by  her  child.  She  died  by  slow 
degrees,  and  the  fate  of  the  orphan  was  often  discussed  between 
us.  That  she  could  ever  become  the  wife  of  any  but  a  Chris- 
tian noble,  neither  of  us  imagined  possible ;  but  there  are  so 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  161 

many  different  characters  under  the  same  outward  professions, 
that  names  deceived  us  not.  I  do  believe  that  poor  woman 
bethought  her  more  of  her  child's  future  worldly  fortunes  than 
of  her  own  sins,  and  that  she  prayed  oftener  for  the  happy  con- 
clusion of  the  first  than  for  the  pardon  of  the  last!  Thou 
knowest  little  of  the  strength  of  a  mother's  love,  Luis,  and 
canst  not  understand  all  the  doubts  that  beset  the  heart,  when 
the  parent  is  compelled  to  'leave  a  tender  plant,  like  Mercedes, 
to  the  cold  nursing  of  a  selfish  and  unfeeling  world." 

u  I  can  readily  fancy  the  mother  of  my  love  fitted  for  heaven 
without  the  usual  interpositions  of  masses  and  paters,  Dona 
Beatriz  ;  but  have  aunts  no  consideration  for  nephews,  as  well 
as  mothers  for  children  V 

"The  tie  is  close  and  strong,  my  child,  and  yet  is  it  not 
parental ;  nor  art  thou  a  sensitive,  tme-hearted,  enthusiastic  girl, 
filled  with  the  confidence  of  thy  purity,  and  overflowing  with 
the  affections  that,  in  the  end,  make  mothers  what  they  are." 

"  By  San  Iago  !  and  am  I  not  the  very  youth  to  render  such 
a  creature  happy  ?  I,  too,  am  sensitive — too  much  so,  in  sooth, 
for  my  own  peace ;  I,  too,  am  true-hearted,  as  is  seen  by  my 
having  had  but  this  one  love,  when  I  might  have  had  fifty ;  and 
if  I  am  not  exactly  overflowing  with  the  confidence  of  purity,  I 
have  the  confidence  of  youth,  health,  strength,  and  courage,  which 
is  quite  as  useful  for  a  cavalier ;  and  I  have  abundance  of  the 
affection  that  makes  good  fathers,  which  is  all  that  can  reason- 
ably be  asked  of  a  man." 

"  Thou,  then,  thinkest  thyself,  truant,  every  way  worthy  to 
be  the  husband  of  Mercedes  de  Valverde?" 

' '  Nay,  aunt  of  mine,  thou  hast  a  searching  way  with  thy 
questions !  Who  is,  or  can  be,  exactly  worthy  of  so  much 
excellence  ?  I  may  not  be  altogether  deserving  of  her,  but 
then  again,  I  am  not  altogether  undeserving  of  her.  I  am  quite  as 
noble,  nearly  as  well  endowed  with  estates,  of  suitable  years,  of 
fitting  address  as  a  knight,  and  love  her  better  than  I  love  my  own 
soul.  Methinks  the  last  should  count  for  something,  since  he  that 
loveth  devotedly,  will  surely  strive  to  render  its  object  happy." 


162  ERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

"Thou  art  a  silly,  inexperienced  boy,  with  a  most  excellent 
heart,  a  happy,  careless  disposition,  and  a  head  that  was  made 
to  hold  better  thoughts  than  commonly  reside  there  !"  exclaimed 
the  aunt,  giving  way  to  an  impulse  of  natural  feeling,  even 
while  she  frowned  on  her  nephew's  folly.  "  But,  hear  me,  and 
for  once  think  gravely,  and  reflect  on  what  I  say.  I  have  told 
thee  of  the  mother  of  Mercedes,  of  her  dying  doubts,  her 
anxiety,  and  of  her  confidence  in  me.  Her  Highness  and  I 
were  alone  with  her,  the  morning  of  the  day  that  her  spirit  took 
its  flight  to  heaven ;  and  then  she  poured  out  all  her  feelings, 
in  a  way  that  has  left  on  us  both  an  impression  that  can  never 
cease,  while  aught  can  be  done  by  either  for  the  security  of  the 
daughter's  happiness.  Thou  hast  thought  the  queen  unkind.  I 
know  not  but,  in  thy  intemperate  speech,  thou  hast  dared  to 
charge  Her  Highness  with  carrying  her  care  for  her  subjects7 
well-being  beyond  a  sovereign's  rights" — 

"  Nay,  Dona  Beatriz,"  hastily  interrupted  Luis,  "  herein  thou 
dost  me  great  injustice.  I  may  have  felt — no  doubt  I  have 
keenly,  bitterly,  felt  the  consequences  of  Dona  Isabella's  dis- 
trust of  my  constancy ;  but  never  has  rebel  thought  of  mine 
even  presumed  to  doubt  her  right  to  command  all  our  services, 
as  well  as  all  our  lives.  This  is  due  to  her  sacred  authority 
from  all ;  but  we,  who  so  well  know  the  heart  and  motives  of 
the  queen,  also  know  that  she  doth  naught  from  caprice  or  a 
desire  to  rule  ;  while  she  doth  so  much  from  affection  to  her 
people." 

As  Don  Luis  uttered  this  with  an  earnest  look,  and  features 
flushed  with  sincerity,  it  was  impossible  not  to  see  that  he 
meant  as  much  as  he  said.  If  men  considered  the  consequences 
that  often  attend  their  lightest  words,  less  levity  of  speech  would 
be  used,  and  the  office  of  tale-bearer,  the  meanest  station  in  the 
whole  catalogue,  of  social  rank,  would  become  extinct  for  want 
of  occupation.  Few  cared  less,  or  thought  less,  about  the  con- 
sequences of  what  they  uttered,  than  Luis  de  Bobadilla  ;  and 
yet  this  hasty  but  sincere  reply  did  him  good  service  with  more 
than  one  of  those  who  exercised  a  material  influence  over  his 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  163 

fortunes.  The  honest  praise  of  the  queen  went  directly  to  the 
heart  of  the  Marchioness,  who  rather  idolized  than  loved  her 
royal  mistress,  the  long  and  close  intimacy  that  had  existed 
between  them  having  made  her  thoroughly  acquainted  with 
the  pure  and  almost  holy  character  of  Isabella ;  and  when  she 
repeated  the  words  of  her  nephew  to  the  latter,  her  own  well- 
established  reputation  for  truth  caused  them  to  be  implicitly 
believed.  Whatever  may  be  the  correctness  of  our  views  in 
general,  one  of  the  most  certain  ways  to  the  feelings  is  the 
assurance  of  being  respected  and  esteemed ;  while,  of  all  the 
divine  mandates,  the  most  difficult  to  find  obedience  is  that 
which  tells  us  to  "love  those  who  hate"  us.  Isabella,  notwith- 
standing her  high  destiny  and  lofty  qualities,  was  thoroughly  a 
woman;  and.  when  she  discovered  that,  in  spite  of  her  own 
coldness  to  the  youth,  he  really  entertained  so  much  profound 
deference  for  her  character,  and  appreciated  her  feelings  and 
motives  in  a  way  that  conscience  told  her  she  merited,  she  was 
much  better  disposed  to  look  at  his  peculiar  faults  with  indul- 
gence, and  to  ascribe  that  to  mere  animal  spirits,  which,  under 
less  favorable  auspices,  might  possibly  have  been  mistaken  for 
ignoble  propensities. 

But  this  is  a  little  anticipating  events.  The  first  consequence 
of  Luis1  speech  was  a  milder  expression  in  the  countenance  of 
his  aunt,  and  a  disposition  to  consider  his  entreaties  to  be  ad- 
mitted to  a  private  interview  with  Mercedes,  with  more  indul- 
gence. 

"I  may  have  done  thee  injustice  in  this,  Luis,"  resumed 
Dona  Beatriz,  betraying  in  her  manner  the  sudden  change  of 
feeling  mentioned  ;  "  for  I  do  think  thee  conscious  of  thy  duty 
to  Her  Highness,  and  of  the  almost  heavenly  sense  of  justice 
that  reigneth  in  her  heart,  and  through  that  heart,  in  Castile. 
Thou  hast  not  lost  in  my  esteem  by  thus  exhibiting  thy  respect 
and  love  for  the  queen,  for  it  is  impossible  to  have  any  regard 
for  female  virtue,  and  not  to  manifest  it  to  its  best  repre- 
sentative." 

"  Do  I  not,  also,  dear  aunt,  in  my  attachment  to  thy  ward  ? 


164  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

Is  not  my  very  choice,  in  some  sort,  a  pledge  of  the  truth  and 
justice  of  my  feelings  in  these  particulars  ?•' 

"  Ah  !  Luis  de  Bobadilla,  it  is  not  difficult  to  teach  the  heart 
to  lean  toward  the  richest  and  the  noblest,  when  she  happeneth 
also  to  be  the  fairest,  maiden  of  Spain  I" 

"  And  am  I  a  hypocrite,  Marchioness  ?  Dost  thou  accuse 
the  son  of  thy  brother  of  being  a  feigner  of  that  which  he  doth 
not  feel? — one  influenced  by  so  mean  a  passion  as  the  love  of 
gold  and  of  lands  V 

"  Foreign  lands,  heedless  hoy"  returned  the  aunt,  smiling, 
"  but  not  of  others'  lands.  No,  Luis,  none  that  know  thee  will 
accuse  thee  of  hypocrisy.  We  believe  in  the  truth  and  ardor 
of  thy  attachment,  and  it  is  for  that  very  cause  that  we  most 
distrust  thy  passion." 

"  How  !  Are  feigned  feelings  of  more  repute  with  the  queen 
and  thyself,  than  real  feelings  ?  A  spurious  and  fancied  love, 
than  the  honest,  downright,  manly  passion  ?" 

"Jt  is  this  genuine  feeling,  this  honest,  downright,  manly 
passion,  as  thou  termest  it,  which  is  most  apt  to  awaken  sym- 
pathy in  the  tender  bosom  of  a  young  girl.  There  is  no  truer 
touch-stone,  by  which  to  try  the  faithfulness  of  feelings,  than 
the  heart,  when  the  head  is  not  turned  by  vanity  ;  and  the  more 
unquestionable  the  passion,  the  easier  is  it  for  its  subject  to 
make  the  discovery.  Two  drops  of  water  do  not  glide  together 
more  naturally  than  two  hearts,  nephew,  when  there  is  a  strong 
affinity  between  them.  Didst  thou  not  really  love  Mercedes, 
as  my  near  and  dear  relative,  thou  mightst  laugh  and  sing  in 
her  company  at  all  times  that  should  be  suitable  for  the  dignity 
of  a  maiden,  and  it  would  not  cause  me  an  uneasy  moment." 

"  I  am  thy  near  and  dear  relative,  aunt  of  mine,  with  a 
miracle  !  and  yet  it  is  more  difficult  for  me  to  get  a  sight  of 
thy  ward" — 

"  Who  is  the  especial  care  of  the  Queen  of  Castile." 
"  Well,  be  it  so  ;  and  why  should  a  Bobadilla  be  proscribed 
by  even  a  Queen  of  Castile  ?" 

Luis  then  had  recourse  to  his  most  persuasive  powers,  and, 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  165 

improving  the  little  advantage  he  had  gained,  by  dint  of  coax- 
ing and  teasing  he  so  far  prevailed  on  Doila  Beatriz  as  to  obtain 
a  promise  that  she  would  apply  to  the  queen  for  permission  to 
grant  him  one  private  interview  with  Mercedes.  We  say  the 
queen,  since  Isabella,  distrusting  the  influence  of  blood,  had 
cautioned  the  Marchioness  on  this  subject;  and  the  prudence 
of  letting  the  young  people  see  each  other  as  little  as  possible, 
had  been  fully  settled  between  them.  It  was  in  redeeming  this 
promise,  that  the  aunt  related  the  substance  of  the  conversation 
that  has  just  been  given,  and  mentioned  to  her  royal  mistress 
the  state  of  her  nephew's  feelings  as  respected  herself.  The 
effect  of  such  information  was  necessarily  favorable  to  the  young 
man's  views,  and  one  of  its  first  fruits  was  the  desired  permission 
to  have  the  interview  he  sought. 

"  They  are  not  sovereigns,"  remarked  the  queen,  with  a 
smile  that  the  favorite  could  see  was  melancholy,  though  it 
surpassed  her  means  of  penetration  to  say  whether  it  proceeded 
from  a  really  saddened  feeling,  or  whether  it  were  merely  the 
manner-  in  which  the  mind  is  apt  to  glance  backward  at  emo- 
tions that  it  is  known  can  never  be  again  awakened  in  our 
bosoms; — "they  arc  not  sovereigns,  Daughter-Marchioness,  to 
woo  by  proxy,  and  wed  as  strangers.  It  may  not  be  wise  to 
suffer  the  intercourse  to  become  too  common,  but  it  were  cruel 
to  deny  the  youth,  as  he  is  about  to  depart  on  an  enterprise 
of  so  doubtful  issue,  one  opportunity  to  declare  his  passion 
and  to  make  his  protestations  of  constancy.  If  thy  ward 
hath,  in  truth,  any  tenderness  for  him,  the  recollection  of  this 
interview  will  soothe  many  a  weary  hour  while  Don  Luis  is 
away." 

"  And  add  fuel  to  the  flame,"  returned  Doila  Beatriz,  point- 
edly. 

"  We  know  not  that,  my  good  Beatriz,  since,  the  heart  be- 
ing softened  by  the  power  of  God  to  a  sense  of  its  religious 
duties,  may  not  the  same  kind  hand  direct  it  and  shield  it  in 
the  indulgence  of  its  more  worldly  feelings  ?  Mercedes  will 
never  forget  her  duty,  and,  the  imagination  feeding  itself,  it 


166  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

may  not  be  the  wisest  course  to  leave  that  of  an  enthusiast  like 
our  young  charge,  so  entirely  to  its  own  pictures.  Eealities 
are  often  less  hazardous  than  the  creatures  of  the  fancy.  Then, 
thy  nephew  will  not  be  a  loser  by  the  occasion,  for,  by  keeping 
constantly  in  view  the  object  he  now  seemeth  to  pursue  so  earn- 
estly, he  will  the  more  endeavor  to  deserve  success." 

"  I  much  fear,  Senora,  that  the  best  conclusions  are  not  to 
be  depended  on  in  an  affair  that  touches  the  waywardness  of 
the  feelings." 

"  Perhaps  not,  Beatriz  ;  and  yet  I  do  not  see  that  we  can 
well  deny  this  interview,  now  that  Don  Luis  is  so  near  depar- 
ture. Tell  him  I  accord  him  that  which  he  so  desireth,  and  let 
him  bear  in  mind  that  a  grandee  should  never  quit  Castile 
without  presenting  himself  before  his  sovereign." 

"I  fear,  Your  Highness,"  returned  the  Marchioness,  laugh- 
ing, "that  Don  Luis  will  feel  this  last  command,  however 
gracious  and  kind  in  fact,  as  a  strong  rebuke,  since  he  hath 
more  than  once  done  this  already,  without  even  presenting  him- 
self before  his  own  aunt !" 

"On  those  occasions  he  went  idly,  and  without  considera- 
tion ;  but  he  is  now  engaged  in  an  honorable  and  noble  enter- 
prise, and  we  will  make  it  apparent  to  him  that  all  feel  the 
difference." 

The  conversation  now  changed,  it  being  understood  that  the 
request  of  the  young  man  was  to  be  granted.  Isabella  had,  in 
this  instance,  departed  from  a  law  she  had  laid  down  for  her 
own  government,  under  the  influence  of  her  womanly  feelings, 
which  often  caused  her  to  forget  that  she  was  a  queen,  when 
no  very  grave  duties  existed  to  keep  alive  the  recollection  ;  for 
it  would  have  been  difficult  to  decide  in  which  light  this  pure- 
minded  and  excellent  female  most  merited  the  esteem  of  man- 
kind— in  her  high  character  as  a  just  and  conscientious  sove- 
reign, or  when  she  acted  more  directly  under  the  gentler 
impulses  of  her  sex.  As  for  her  friend,  she  was  perhaps  more 
tenacious  of  doing  what  she  conceived  to  be  her  duty,  by  her 
ward,  than  the  queen  herself ;  since,  with  a  greater  responsibil- 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  167 

ity,  sLe  was  exposed  to  the  suspicion  of  acting  with  a  design  to 
increase  the  wealth  and  to  strengthen  the  connections  of  her 
own  family.  Still,  the  wishes  of  Isabella  were  laws  to  the  Mar- 
chioness of  Moya,  and  she  sought  an  early  opportunity  to 
acquaint  her  ward  with  her  intention  to  allow  Don  Luis,  for 
once,  to  plead  his  own  cause  with  his  mistress,  before  he  de- 
parted on  his  perilous  and  mysterious  enterprise. 

Our  heroine  received  this  intelligence  with  the  mingled  sensa- 
tions of  apprehension,  delight,  misgivings,  and  joy,  that  are  so 
apt  to  beset  the  female  heart,  in  the  freshness  of  its  affections, 
when  once  brought  in  subjection  to  the  master-passion.  She  had 
never  thought  it  possible  Luis  would  sail  on  an  expedition  like 
that  in  which  he  was  engaged,  without  endeavoring  to  see  her 
alone  ;  but,  now  she  was  assured  that  both  the  queen  and  her 
guardian  acquiesced  in  his  being  admitted,  she  almost  regretted 
their  compliance.  These  contradictory  emotions,  however, 
soon  subsided  in  the  tender  melancholy  that  gradually  drew 
around  her  manner,  as  the  hour*  for  the  departure  approached. 
Nor  were  her  feelings  on  the  subject  of  Luis'  ready  enlist- 
ment in  the  expedition,  more  consistent.  At  times  she  exulted 
in  her  lover's  resolution,  and  in  his  manly  devotion  to  glory 
and  the  good  of  the  church  ;  remembering  with  pride  that,  of 
all  the  high  nobility  of  Castile,  he  alone  ventured  life  and 
credit  with  the  Genoese  ;  and  then,  again,  tormenting  doubts 
came  over  her,  as  she  feared  that  the  love  of  roving,  and  of  ad- 
venture, was  quite  as  active  in  his  heart,  as  love  of  herself. 
But  in  all  this  there  was  nothing  new.  The  more  pure  and 
ingenuous  the  feelings  of  those  who  truly  submit  to  the  in- 
fluence of  this  passion,  the  more  keenly  alive  are  their  distrusts 
apt  to  be,  and  the  more  tormenting  their  misgivings  of  them- 
selves. 

Her  mind  made  up,  Dona  Beatriz  acted  fairly  by  the  young 
people.  As  soon  as  Luis  was  admitted  to  her  own  presence, 
on  the  appointed  morning,  she  told  him  that  he  was  expected 
by  Mercedes,  who  was  waiting  his  appearance  in  the  usual 
reception-room.     Scarce  giving  himself  time  to  kiss  the  hand 


108  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

of  his  aunt,  and  to  make  those  other  demonstrations  of  respect 
that  the  customs  of  the  age  required  from  the  young  to  their 
seniors — more  especially  when  there  existed  between  them  a 
tie  of  blood  as  close  as  that  which  united  the  Marchioness  of 
Moya  with  the  Conde  de  Llera — the  young  man  bounded  away, 
and  was  soon  in  the  presence  of  his  mistress.  As  Mercedes 
was  prepared  for  the  interview,  she  betrayed  the  feeling  of  the 
moment  merely  by  a  heightened  color,  and  the  greater  lustre 
of  eyes  that  were  always  bright,  though  often  so  soft  and 
melancholy. 

"Luis  I"  escaped  from  her,  and  then,  as  if  ashamed  of  the 
emotion  betrayed  in  the  very  tones  of  her  voice,  she  withdrew 
the  foot  that  had  involuntarily  advanced  to  meet  him,  even 
while  she  kept  a  hand  extended  in  friendly  confidence. 

"  Mercedes  P'  and  the  hand  was  withdrawn  to  put  a  stop  to 
the  kisses  with  which  it  was  covered.  "Thou  art  harder  to  be 
seen,  of  late,  than  it  will  be  to  discover  this  Cathay  of  the 
Genoese ;  for,  between  the  Dona  Isabella  and  Dona  Beatriz, 
never  was  paradise  watched  more  closely  by  guardian  angels, 
than  thy  person  is  watched  by  thy  protectors." 

"And  can  it  be  necessary,  Luis,  when  thou  art  the  danger 
apprehended !" 

"Do  they  think  I  shall  carry  thee  off,  like  some  Moorish 
girl  borne  away  on  the  crupper  of  a  Christian  knight's  saddle, 
and  place  thee  in  the  caravel  of  Colon,  that  we  may  go  in 
search  of  Prestor  John  and  the  Great  Khan,  in  company?" 

"  They  may  think  thee  capable  of  this  act  of  madness,  dear 
Luis,  but  they  will  hardly  suspect  me." 

"No,  thou  art  truly  a  model  of  prudence  in  all  matters  that 
require  feeling  for  thy  lover. " 

"  Luis  !"  exclaimed  the  girl,  again  ;  and  this  time  unbidden 
tears  started  to  her  eyes. 

"Forgive  me,  Mercedes — dearest,  dearest  Mercedes;  but 
this  delay  and  all  these  coldly  cruel  precautions  make  me  forget 
myself.  Am  I  a  needy  and  unknown  adventurer,  that  they 
treat  me  thus,  instead  of  being  a  noble  Castilian  knight !" 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  169 

"  Thou  forgettest,  Luis,  that  noble  Castilian  maidens  are  not 
wont  to  see  even  noble  Castilian  cavaliers  alone,  and,  but  for 
the  gracious  condescension  of  Her  Highness,  and  the  indulgence 
of  my  guardian,  who  happeneth  to  be  thy  aunt,  this  interview 
could  not  take  place." 

"  Alone  !  And  dost  thou  call  this  being  alone,  or  any  exces- 
sive favor,  on  the  part  of  Her  Highness,  when  thou  seest  that 
we  are  watched  by  the  eye,  if  not  by  the  ear  !  I  fear  to  speak 
above  my  breath,  lest  the  sounds  should  disturb  that  venerable 
lady's  meditations  I" 

As  Luis  de  Bobadilla  uttered  this,  he  glanced  his  eye  at  the 
figure  of  the  duena  of  his  mistress,  whose  person  was  visible 
through  an  open  door,  in  an  adjoining  room,  where  the  good 
woman  sat,  intently  occupied  in  reading  certain  homilies. 

"  Dost  mean  my  poor  Pepita,"  answered  Mercedes,  laugh- 
ing ;  for  the  presence  of  her  attendant,  to  whom  she  had  been 
accustomed  from  infancy,  was  no  more  restraint  on  her  own  in- 
nocent thoughts  and  words,  than  would  have  proved  a  redupli- 
cation of  herself,  had  such  a  thing  been  possible.  "  Many 
have  been  her  protestations  against  this  meeting,  which  she  in- 
sists is  contrary  to  all  rule  among  noble  ladies,  and  which,  she 
says,  would  never  have  been  accorded  by  my  poor,  sainted 
mother,  were  she  still  living." 

"  Ay,  she  hath  a  look  that  is  sufficient  of  itself  to  set  every 
generous  mind  a-tilting  with  her.  One  can  see  envy  of  thy 
beauty  and  youth,  in  every  wrinkle  of  her  unamiable  face." 

"Then  little  dost  thou  know  my  excellent  Pepita,  who  en- 
vieth  nothing,  and  who  hath  but  one  marked  weakness,  and 
that  is,  too  much  affection,  and  too  much  indulgence,  for  my 
self." 

"  I  detest  a  duena ;  ay,  as  I  detest  an  Infidel !" 

"  Senor,"  said  Pepita,  whose  vigilant  ears,  notwithstanding 
her  book  and  the  homilies,  heard  all  that  passed,  "this  is  a 
common  feeling  among  youthful  cavaliers,  I  fear  ;  but  they  tell 
me  that  the  very  duena  who  is  so  displeasing  to  the  lover, 
getteth  to  be  a  grateful  object,  in  time,  with  the  husband.     A3 


170 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 


my  features  and  wrinkles,  however,  are  so  disagreeable  to  you, 
and  no  doubt  cause  you  pain,  by  closing  this  door  the  sight 
will  be  shut  out,  as,  indeed,  will  be  the  sound  of  my  unpleasant 
cough,  and  of  your  own  protestations  of  love,  Seiior  Knight." 

This  was  said  in  much  better  language  than  was  commonly 
used  by  women  of  the  duena's  class,  and  with  a  good-nature 
that  seemed  indomitable,  it  being  completely  undisturbed  by 
Luis'  petulant  remarks. 

"  Thou  shalt  not  close  the  door,  Pepita,"  cried  Mercedes, 
blushing  rosy  red,  and  springing  forward  to  interpose  her  own 
hand  against  the  act.  "  What  is  there  that  the  Conde  de  Llera 
can  have  to  say  to  one  like  me,  that  thou  mayest  not  hear  VI 

"  Nay,  dear  child,  the  noble  cavalier  is  about  to  talk  of 
love!" ', 

"  And  is  it  thou,  with  whom  the  language  of  affection  is  so 
uncommon,  that  it  frighteneth  thee  !  Hath  thy  discourse  been 
of  aught  but  love,  since  thou  hast  known  and  cared  for  me  ?" 

"  It  augureth  badly  for  thy  suit,  Senor,"  said  Pepita,  smil- 
ing, while  she  suspended  the  movement  of  the  hand  that  was 
about  to  close  the  door,  "  if  Dona  Mercedes  thinketh  of  your 
love  as  she  thinketh  of  mine.  Surely,  child,  thou  dost  not 
fancy  me  a  gay,  gallant  young  noble,  come  to  pour  out  his  soul 
at  thy  feet,  and  mistakest  my  simple  words  of  affection  for  such 
as  will  be  likely  to  flow  from  the  honeyed  tongue  of  a  Bobadilla, 
bent  on  gaining  his  suit  with  the  fairest  maiden  of  Castile  V 

Mercedes  shrunk  back,  for,  though  innocent  as  purity  itself, 
her  heart  taught  her  the  difference  between  the  language  of  her 
lover  and  the  language  of  her  nurse,  even  when  each  most  ex- 
pressed affection.  Her  hand  released  its  hold  of  the  wood,  and 
unconsciously  was  laid,  with  its  pretty  fellow,  on  her  crimsoned 
face.  Pepita  profited  by  her  advantage,  and  closed  the  door. 
A  smile  of  triumph  gleamed  on  the  handsome  features  of  Luis, 
and,  after  he  had  forced  his  mistress,  by  a  gentle  compulsion, 
to  resume  the  seat  from  which  she  had  risen  to  meet  him,  he 
threw  himself  on  a  stool  at  her  feet,  and  stretching  out  his  well 
turned  limbs  in  an  easy  attitude,  so  as  to  allow  himself  to  gaze 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  l7l 

into  the  beautiful  face  that  he  had  set  up,  like  an  idol,  before 
him,  he  renewed  the  discourse. 

"  This  is  a  paragon  of  duenas,"  he  cried,  "  and  I  might  have 
known  that  none  of  the  ill-tempered,  unreasonable  school  of 
such  beings,  would  be  tolerated  near  thy  person.  This  Pepita 
is  a  jewel,  and  she  may  consider  herself  established  in  her  office 
for  life,  if,  by  the  cunning  of  this  Genoese,  mine  own  resolution, 
the  queen's  repentance,  and  thy  gentle  favor,  I  ever  prove  so 
lucky  as  to  become  thy  husband." 

"Thou  forgettest,  Luis,"  answered  Mercedes,  trembling  even 
while  she  laughed  at  her  own  conceit,  "that  if  the  husband 
esteemeth  the  duena  the  lover  could  not  endure,  that  the  lover 
may  esteem  the  duena  that  the  husband  may  be  unwilling  to 
abide." 

"  Peste!  these  are  crooked  matters,  and  ill-suited  to  the 
straight-forward  philosophy  of  Luis  de  Bobadilla.  There  is  one 
thing  only,  which  I  can,  or  do,  pretend  to  know,  out  of  any 
controversy,  and  that  I  am  ready  to  maintain  in  the  face  of  all 
the  doctors  of  Salamanca,  or  all  the  chivalry  of  Christendom, 
that  of  the  Infidel  included ;  which  is,  that  thou  art  the  fairest, 
sweetest,  best,  most  virtuous,  and  in  all  things  the  most  win- 
ning maiden  of  Spain,  and  that  no  other  living  knight  so  loveth 
and  honorethhis  mistress  as  I  love  and  honor  thee !" 

The  language  of  admiration  is  ever  soothing  to  female  ears, 
and  Mercedes,  giving  to  the  words  of  the  youth  an  impression 
of  sincerity  that  his  manner  fully  warranted,  forgot  the  duena 
and  her  little  interruption,  in  the  delight  of  listening  to  declara- 
tions that  were  so  grateful  to  her  affections.  Still,  the  coyness 
of  her  sex,  and  the  recent  date  of  their  mutual  confidence,  ren- 
dered her  answer  less  open  than  it  might  otherwise  have  been. 

"lam  told,"  she  said,  "  that  you  young  cavaliers,  who  pant 
for  occasions  to  show  your  skill  and  courage  with  the  lance  and 
in  the  tourney,  are  ever  making  some  such  protestations  in  fa- 
vor of  this  or  that  noble  maiden,  in  order  to  provoke  others 
like  themselves  to  make  counter  assertions,  that  they  may  show 
their  prowess  as  knights,  and  gain  high  names  for  gallantry." 


172  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

"  This  cometh  of  being  so  much  shut  up  in  Dona  Beatriz's 
private  rooms,  lest  some  bold  Spanish  eyes  should  look  pro- 
fanely on  thy  beauty,  Mercedes.  We  are  not  in  the  age  of  the 
errants  and  the  troubadours,  when  men  committed  a  thousand 
follies  that  they  might  be  thought  weaker  even  than  nature  had 
made  them.  In  that  age,  your  knights  discoursed  largely  of 
love,  but  in  our  own  they  feel  it.  In  sooth,  I  think  this  savor- 
eth  of  some  of  the  profound  morality  of  Pepita !" 

"  Say  naught  against  Pepita,  Luis,  who  hath  much  befriended 
thee  to-day,  else  would  thy  tongue,  and  thine  eyes  too,  be  un- 
der the  restraint  of  her  presence.  But  that  which  thou  term- 
est  the  morality  of  the  good  dueiia,  is,  in  truth,  the  morality  of 
the  excellent  and  most  noble  Dona  Beatriz  de  Cabrera,  Mar- 
chioness of  Moya,  who  was  born  a  lady  of  the  House  of  Boba- 
dilla,  I  believe." 

"  Well,  well,  I  dare  to  say  there  is  no  great  difference  be- 
tween the  lessons  of  a  duchess  and  the  lessons  of  a  duena  in 
the  privacy  of  the  closet,  when  there  is  one  like  thee,  beautiful, 
and  rich,  and  virtuous,  to  guard.  They  say  you  young  maid- 
ens are  told  that  we  cavaliers  are  so  many  ogres,  and  that  the 
only  way  to  reach  paradise  is  to  think  naught  of  us  but  evil, 
and  then,  when  some  suitable  marriage  hath  been  decided  on, 
the  poor  young  creature  is  suddenly  alarmed  by  an  order  to 
come  forth  and  be  wedded  to  one  of  these  very  monsters." 

"  And,  in  this  mode,  hast  thou  been  treated !  It  would  seem 
that  much  pains  are  taken  to  make  the  young  of  the  two  sexes 
think  ill  of  each  other.  But,  Luis,  this  is  pure  idleness,  and 
we  waste  in  it  most  precious  moments ;  moments  that  may 
never  return.  How  go  matters  with  Colon — and  when  is  he 
like  to  quit  the  court?" 

"  He  hath  already  departed  ;  for,  having  obtained  all  he  hath 
sought  of  the  queen,  he  quitted  Santa  Fe,  with  the  royal  au- 
thority to  sustain  him  in  the  fullest  manner.  If  thou  nearest 
aught  of  one  Pedro  de  Munos,  or  Pero  Gutierrez,  at  the  court 
of  Cathay,  thou  wilt  know  on  whose  shoulders  to  lay  his 
follies." 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  173 

"I  would  rather  that  thou  shouldst  undertake  this  voyage  in 
thine  own  name,  Luis,  than  under  a  feigned  appellation.  Con- 
cealments of  this  nature  are  seldom  wise,  and  surely  thou  dost 
not  undertake  the  enterprise" — the  tell-tale  blood  stole  to  the 
cheeks  of  Mercedes  as  she  proceeded — "with  a  motive  thai- 
need,  bring  shame." 

"  'Tis  the  wish  of  my  aunt ;  as  for  myself,  I  would  put  thy 
favor  in  my  casque,  thy  emblem  on  my  shield,  and  let  it  be 
known,  far  and  near,  that  Luis  of  Llera  sought  the  court  of 
Cathay,  with  the  intent  to  defy  its  chivalry  to  produce  as  fair  or 
as  virtuous  a  maiden  as  thyself." 

"  We  are  not  in  the  age  of  errants,  sir  knight,  but  in  one  of 
reason  and  truth,"  returned  Mercedes,  laughing,  though  every 
syllable  that  proved  the  earnest  and  entire  devotion  of  the 
young  man  went  directly  to  her  heart,  strengthening  his  hold 
on  it,  and  increasing  the  flame  that  burnt  within,  by  adding  the 
fuel  that  was  most  adapted  to  that  purpose — "  we  are  not  in  the 
age  of  knights-errant,  Don  Luis  de  Bobadilla,  as  thou  thyself 
hast  just  affirmed  ;  but  one  in  which  even  the  lover  is  reflecting, 
and  as  apt  to  discover  the  faults  of  his  lady-love  as  to  dwell 
upon  her  perfections.  I  look  for  better  things  from  thee,  than  to 
hear  that  thou  hast  ridden  through  the  highways  of  Cathay,  defy- 
ing to  combat  and  seeking  giants,  in  order  to  exalt  my  beauty,  and 
tempting  others  to  decry  it,  if  it  were  only  out  of  pure  opposi- 
tion to  thy  idle  boastings.  Ah !  Luis,  thou  art  now  engaged  in 
a  most  truly  noble  enterprise,  one  that  will  join  thy  name  to 
those  of  the  applauded  of  men,  and  which  will  form  thy  pride 
and  exultation  in  after-life,  when  the  eyes  of  us  both  shall  be 
dimmed  by  age,  and  we  shall  look  back  with  longings  to  dis- 
cover aught  of  which  to  be  proud." 

It  was  thrice  pleasant  to  the  youth  to  hear  his  mistress,  in 
the  innocence  of  her  heart,  and  in  the  fulness  of  her  feelings, 
thus  uniting  his  fate  with  her  own  ;  and  when  she  ceased  speak- 
ing, all  unconscious  how  much  might  be  indirectly  implied 
from  her  words,  he  still  listened  intently,  as  if  he  would  fain 
hear  the  sounds  after  they  had  died  on  his  ear. 


174  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE, 

"  What  enterprise  can  be  nobler,  more  worthy  to  awaken 
all  rny  resolution,  than  to  win  thy  hand  !"  he  exclaimed,  after 
a  short  pause.  "I  follow  Colon  with  no  other  object;  share 
his  chances,  to  remove  the  objections  of  Doiia  Isabella ;  and 
will  accompany  him  to  the  earth's  end,  rather  than  that  thy 
choice  should  be  dishonored.  Thou  art  my  Great  Khan, 
beloved  Mercedes,  and  thy  smiles  and  affection  are  the  only 
Cathay  I  seek." 

"  Say  not  so,  dear  Luis,  for  thou  knowest  not  the  nobility 
of  thine  own  soul,  nor  the  generosity  of  thine  own  intentions. 
This  is  a  stupendous  project  of  Colon's,  and  much  as  I  rejoice 
that  he  hath  had  the  imagination  to  conceive  it,  and  the  heart 
to  undertake  it  in  his  own  person,  on  account  of  the  good  it 
must  produce  to  the  heathen,  and  the  manner  in  which  it  will 
necessarily  redound  to  the  glory  of  God,  still  I  fear  that  I  am 
equally  gladdened  with  the  recollection  that  thy  name  will  be 
forever  associated  with  the  great  achievement,  and  thy  detrac- 
tors put  to  shame  with  the  resolution  and  spirit  with  which  so 
noble  an  end  will  have  been  attained." 

"This  is  nothing  but  truth,  Mercedes,  should  we  reach  the 
Indies  ;  but,  should  the  saints  desert  us,  and  our  project  fail,  I 
fear  that  even  thou  wouldst  be  ashamed  to  confess  an  interest 
in  an  unfortunate  adventurer  who  hath  returned  without  suc- 
cess, and  thereby  made  himself  the  subject  of  sneers  and  deri- 
sion, instead  of  wearing  the  honorable  distinction  that  thou 
seemest  so  confidently  to  expect." 

"  Then,  Luis  de  Bobadilla,  thou  knowest  me  not,"  answered 
Mercedes,  hastily,  and  speaking  with  a  tender  earnestness  that 
brought  the  blood  into  her  cheeks,  gradually  brightening  the 
brilliancy  of  her  eyes,  until  they  shone  with  a  lustre  that 
seemed  almost  supernatural — "  then,  Luis  de  Bobadilla,  thou 
knowest  me  not.  I  wish  thee  to  share  in  the  glory  of  this  en- 
terprise, because  calumny  and  censure  have  not  been  altogether 
idle  with  thy  youth,  and  because  I  feel  that  Her  Highness' 
favor  is  most  easily  obtained  by  it ;  but,  if  thou  believest  that 
the  spirit  to  engage  with  Colon  was  necessary  to  incline  me 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  175 

to  think  kindly  of  my  guardian's  nephew,  thou  neither  under- 
standest  the  sentiments  that  draw  me  toward  thee,  nor  hast  a 
just  appreciation  of  the  hours  of  sorrow  I  have  suffered  on  thy 
account." 

"  Dearest,  most  generous,  noble-hearted  girl,  I  am  unworthy 
of  thy  truth,  of  thy  pure  sincerity,  and  of  all  thy  devoted  feel- 
ings !  Drive  me  from  thee  at  once,  that  I  may  ne'er  again 
cause  thee  a  moment's  grief." 

"  Nay,  Luis,  thy  remedy,  I  fear  me,  would  prove  worse  than 
the  disease  that  thou  wouldst  cure,"  returned  the  beautiful  girl, 
smiling  and  blushing  as  she  spoke,  and  turning  her  eloquent 
eyes  on  the  youth  in  a  way  to  avow  volumes  of  tenderness. 
"  With  thee  must  I  be  happy,  or  unhappy,  as  Providence  may 
will  it ;  or  miserable  without  thee." 

The  conversation  now  took  that  unconnected,  and  yet  com- 
prehensive cast,  which  is  apt  to  characterize  the  discourse  of 
those  who  feel  as  much  as  they  reason,  and  it  covered  more 
interests,  sentiments,  and  events,  than  our  limits  will  allow  us 
to  record.  As  usual,  Luis  was  inconsistent,  jealous,  repentant, 
full  of  passion  and  protestations,  fancying  a  thousand  evils  at 
one  instant,  and  figuring  in  his  imagination  a  terrestrial  para- 
dise at  the  next ;  while  Mercedes  was  enthusiastic,  generous, 
devoted,  and  yet  high-principled,  self-denying,  and  womanly  ; 
meeting  her  ardent  suitor's  vows  with  a  tenderness  that  seemed 
to  lose  all  other  considerations  in  her  love,  and  repelling  with 
maiden  coyness,  and  with  the  dignity  of  her  sex,  his  rhap- 
sodies, whenever  they  touched  upon  the  exaggerated  and  in- 
discreet. 

The  interview  lasted  an  hour,  and  it  is  scarce  necessary  to 
say  that  vows  of  constancy,  and  pledges  never  to  marry  another, 
were  given,  again  and  again.  As  the  time  for  separating  ap- 
proached, Mercedes  opened  a  small  casket  that  contained  her 
jewels,  and  drew  forth  one  which  she  offered  to  her  lover  as  a 
gage  of  her  truth. 

"  I  will  not  give  thee  a  glove  to  wear  in  thy  casque  at  tour- 
neys, Luis,"  she  said,  "  but  I  offer  this  holy  symbol,  which  may 


176-  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

remind  thee,  at  the  same  moment,  of  the  great  pursuit  thou 
hast  before  thee,  and  of  her  who  will  wait  its  issue  with  doubts 
and  fears  little  less  active  than  those  of  Colon  himself.  Thou 
needst  no  other  crucifix  to  say  thy  paters  before,  and  these  stones 
are  sapphires,  which  thou  knowest  are  the  tokens  of  fidelity — a 
feeling  that  thou  mayst  encourage  as  respects  thy  lasting  wel- 
fare, and  which  it  would  not  grieve  me  to  know  thou  kept'st 
ever  active  in  thy  bosom  when  thinking  of  the  unworthy  giver 
of  the  trifle." 

This  was  said  half  in  melancholy,  and  half  in  lightness  of 
heart,  for  Mercedes  felt,  at  parting,  both  a  weight  of  sorrow 
that  was  hard  to  be  borne,  and  a  buoyancy  of  the  very  feeling 
to  which  she  had  just  alluded,  that  much  disposed  her  to  smile ; 
and  it  was  said  with  those  winning  accents  with  which  the 
youthful  and  tender  avow  their  emotions,  when  the  heart  is 
subdued  by  the  thoughts  of  absence  and  dangers.  The  gift 
was  a  small  cross,  formed  of  the  stones  she  had  named,  and  of 
great  intrinsic  value,  as  well  as  precious  from  the  motives  and 
character  of  her  who  offered  it. 

"Thou  hast  had  a  care  of  my  soul,  in  this,  Mercedes,"  said 
Luis,  smiling,  when  he  had  kissed  the  jewelled  cross  again  and 
again — "  and  art  resolved  if  the  sovereign  of  Cathay  should  re- 
fuse to  be  converted  to  our  faith,  that  we  shall  not  be  converted 
to  his.  I  fear  that  my  offering  will  appear  tame  and  valueless 
in  thine  eyes,  after  so  precious  a  boon." 

"  One  lock  of  thy  hair,  Luis,  is  all  I  desire.  Thou  knowest 
that  I  have  no  need  of  jewels." 

"  If  I  thought  the  sight  of  my  bushy  head  would  give  thee 
pleasure,  every  hair  should  quit  it,  and  I  would  sail  from  Spain 
with  a  poll  as  naked  as  a  priest's,  or  even  an  Infidel's ;  but  the 
Bobadillas  have  their  jewels,  and  a  Bobadilla's  bride  shall  wear 
them :  this  necklace  was  my  mother's,  Mercedes ;  it  is  said  to 
have  once  been  the  property  of  a  queen,  though  none  have  ever 
worn  it  who  will  so  honor  it  as  thou." 

"  I  take  it,  Luis,  for  it  is  thy  offering  and  may  not  be  re- 
fused ;  and  yet  I  take  it  tremblingly,  for  I  see  signs  of  our  dif- 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 


Ill 


fcrent  natures  in  these  gifts.  Thou  hast  chosen  the  gorgeous 
and  the  brilliant,  which  pall  in  time,  and  seldom  lead  to  con- 
tentment ;  while  my  woman's  heart  hath  led  me  to  constancy. 
I  fear  some  brilliant  beauty  of  the  East  would  better  gain  thy 
lasting  admiration  than  a  poor  Castilian  maid  who  hath  little 
but  her  faith  and  love  to  recommend  her  I" 

Protestations  on  the  part  of  the  young  man  followed,  and 
Mercedes  permitted  one  fond  and  long  embrace  ere  they  sepa- 
rated. She  wept  on  the  bosom  of  Don  Luis,  and  at  the  final 
moment  of  parting,  as  ever  happens  with  woman,  feeling  got 
the  better  of  form,  and  her  whole  soul  confessed  its  weakness. 
At  length  Luis  tore  himself  away  from  her  presence,  and  that 
night  he  was  on  his  way  to  the  coast,  under  an  assumed  name, 
and  in  simple  guise ;  whither  Columbus  had  already  preceded. 


l?S  MERCEDES      OF      CASTIL3 


CHAPTER    XL 

"  But  where  is  Harold  ?    Shall  I  then  forget 
To  urge  the  gloomy  wanderer  o'er  the  wave  ? 
Little  reckM  he  of  all  that  men  regret ; 
No  loved  one  now  in  feign'd  lament  conld  rave  ; 
No  friend  the  parting  hand  extended  gave 
Ere  the  cold  stranger  pass'd  to  other  climes." 

Byron. 

The  reader  is  not  to  suppose  that  the  eyes  of  Europe  were 
on  our  adventurers.  Truth  and  falsehood,  inseparable  compan- 
ions, it  would  seem,  throughout  all  time,  were  not  then  diffused 
over  the  land  by  means  of  newspapers,  with  mercenary  dili- 
gence ;  and  it  was  only  the  favored  few  who  got  early  intelli- 
gence of  enterprises  like  that  in  which  Columbus  was  engaged. 
Luis  de  Bobadilla  had,  therefore,  stolen  from  court  unnoticed, 
and  they  who  came  in  time  to  miss  his  presence,  either  supposed 
him  to  be  on  a  visit  to  one  of  his  castles,  or  to  have  gone  forth 
on  another  of  those  wandering  tours  which  were  supposed  to 
be  blemishes  on  his  chivalry  and  unworthy  of  his  birth.  As 
for  the  Genoese  himself,  his  absence  was  scarcely  heeded, 
though  it  was  understood  among  the  courtiers  generally  that 
Isabella  had  entered  into  some  arrangement  with  him,  which 
gave  the  adventurer  higher  rank  and  greater  advantages  than 
his  future  services  would  probably  ever  justify.  The  other 
principal  adventurers  were  too  insignificant  to  attract  much  at- 
tention, and  they  had  severally  departed  for  the  coast  without 
the  knowledge  of  their  movements  extending  far  beyond  the 
narrow  circles  of  their  own  acquaintances.  Neither  was  this 
expedition,  so  bold  in  its  conception  and  so  momentous  in  its 
consequences,  destined  to  sail  from  one  of  the  more  important 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  179 

ports  of  Spain  ;  but  orders  to  famish  trie  necessary  means  had 
been  sent  to  a  haven  of  altogether  inferior  rank,  and  which 
would  seem  to  have  possessed  no  other  recommendations  for 
this  particular  service,  than  hardy  mariners,  and  a  position 
without  the  pass  of  Gibraltar,  which  was  sometimes  rendered 
hazardous  by  the  rovers  of  Africa.  The  order,  however,  is  said 
to  have  been  issued  to  the  place  selected,  in  consequence  of  its 
having  incurred  some  legal  penalty,  by  which  it  had  been  con- 
demned to  serve  the  crown  for  a  twelvemonth  with  two  armed 
caravels.  Such  punishments,  it  would  seem,  were  part  of  the 
policy  of  an  age  in  which  navies  were  little  more  than  levies  on 
sea-ports,  and  when  fleets  were  usually  manned  by  soldiers  from 
the  land. 

Palos  de  Moguer,  the  place  ordered  to  pay  this  tribute  for  its 
transgression,  was  a  town  of  little  importance,  even  at  the  close 
of  the  fifteenth  century,  and  it  has  since  dwindled  to  an  insig- 
nificant fishing  village.  Like  most  places  that  are  little  favored 
by  nature,  its  population  was  hardy  and  adventurous,  as  adven- 
ture was  then  limited  by  ignorance.  It  possessed  no  stately 
caracks,  its  business  and  want  of  opulence  confining  all  its 
efforts  to  the  lighter  caravel  and  the  still  more  diminutive 
felucca.  All  the  succor,  indeed,  that  Columbus  had  been  able 
to  procure  from  the  two  crowns,  by  his  protracted  solicitations, 
was  the  order  for  the  equipment  of  the  two  caravels  mentioned, 
with  the  additional  officers  and  men  that  always  accompanied 
a  royal  expedition.  The  reader,  however,  is  not  to  infer  from 
this  fact  any  niggardliness  of  spirit,  or  any  want  of  faith,  on  the 
part  of  Isabella.  It  was  partly  owing  to  the  exhausted  condi- 
tion of  her  treasury,  a  consequence  of  the  late  war  with  the 
Moor,  and  more,  perhaps,  to  the  experience  and  discretion  of 
the  great  navigator  himself,  who  well  understood  that,  for  the 
purposes  of  discovery,  vessels  of  this  size  would  be  more  useful 
and  secure  than  those  that  were  larger. 

On  a  rocky  promontory,  at  a  distance  of  less  than  a  league 
from  the  village  of  Palos,  stood  the  convent  of  La  Eabida,  .since 
rendered  so  celebrated  by  its  hospitality  to  Columbus.     At  the 


180  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

gate  of  this  building,  seven  years  before,  the  navigator,  leading 
his  youthful  son  by  the  hand,  had  presented  himself,  a  solicitor 
for  food  in  behalf  of  the  wearied  boy.  The  story  is  too  well 
known  to  need  repetition  here,  and  we  will  merely  add  that 
his  long  residence  in  this  convent,  and  the  firm  friends  he  had 
made  of  the  holy  Franciscans  who  occupied  it,  as  well  as  among 
others  in  their  vicinity,  were  also  probably  motives  that  in- 
fluenced him  in  directing  the  choice  of  the  crown  to  this  par- 
ticular place.  Columbus  had  not  only  circulated  his  opinions 
with  the  monks,  but  with  the  more  intelligent  of  the  neighbor- 
hood, and  the  first  converts  he  made  in  Spain  were  at  this 
place. 

Notwithstanding  all  the  circumstances  named,  the  order  of 
the  crown  to  prepare  the  caravels  in  question,  spread  consterna- 
tion among  the  mariners  of  Palos.  In  that  age,  it  was  thought 
a  wonderful  achievement  to  follow  the  land,  along  the  coast  of 
Africa,  and  to  approach  the  equator.  The  vaguest  notions 
existed  in  the  popular  mind,  concerning  those  unknown  regions, 
and  many  even  believed  that  by  journeying  south  it  was  possi- 
ble to  reach  a  portion  of  the  earth  where  animal  and  vegetable 
life  must  cease  on  account  of  the  intense  heat  of  the  sun.  The 
revolution  of  the  planets,  the  diurnal  motion  of  the  earth,  and 
the  causes  of  the  changes  in  the  seasons,  were  then  profound 
mysteries  even  to  the  learned ;  or,  if  glimmerings  of  the  truth 
did  exist,  they  existed  as  the  first  rays  of  the  dawn  dimly  and 
hesitatingly  announce  the  approach  of  day.  It  is  not  surprising, 
therefore,  that  the  simple-minded  and  unlettered  mariners  of 
Palos  viewed  the  order  of  the  crown  as  a  sentence  of  destruc- 
tion on  all  who  might  be  fated  to  obey  it.  The  ocean,  when 
certain  limits  were  passed,  was  thought  to  be,  like  the  firma- 
ment, a  sort  of  chaotic  void  ;  and  the  imaginations  of  the  igno- 
rant had  conjured  up  currents  and  whirlpools  that  were  be- 
lieved to  lead  to  fiery  climates  and  frightful  scenes  of  natural 
destruction.  Some  even  fancied  it  possible  to  reach  the  utter- 
most boundaries  of  the  earth,  and  to  slide  off  into  vacuum,  by 
means  of  swift  but  imperceptible  currents. 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  181 

Such  was  the  state  of  things,  in  the  middle  of  the  month  of 
July.  Columbus  was  still  in  the  convent  of  Rabida,  in  the 
company  of  his  constant  friend  and  adherent,  Fray  Juan  Perez, 
when  a  lay  brother  came  to  announce  that  a  stranger  had  arrived 
at  the  gate,  asking  earnestly  for  the  Senor  Christoval  Colon. 

"  Hath  he  the  aspect  of  a  messenger  from  the  court  tV  de- 
manded the  navigator ;  "  for,  since  the  failure  of  the  mission  of 
Juan  de  Penalosa,  there  is  need  of  further  orders  from  their 
Highnesses  to  enforce  their  gracious  intentions." 

"I  think  not,  Senor,"  answered  the  lay  brother;  "  these 
hard-riding  couriers  of  the  queen  generally  appearing  with  their 
steeds  in  a  foam,  and  with  hurried  air  and  blustering  voices ; 
whereas  this  young  cavalier  behaveth  modestly,  and  rideth  a 
stout  Andalusian  mule.'1 

"  Did  he  give  thee  his  name,  good  Sancho  !" 

t;  He  gave  me  two,  Senor,  styling  himself  Pedro  de  Muiios, 
or  Pedro  Gutierrez,  without  the  Don." 

"This  is  well,"  exclaimed  Columbus,  turning  a  little  quickly 
toward  the  door,  but  otherwise  maintaining  a  perfect  self-com- 
mand; "I  expect  the  youth,  and  he  is  right  welcome.  Let 
him  come  in  at  once,  good  Sancho,  and  that  without  any  use- 
less ceremony." 

"  An  acquaintance  of  the  court,  Senor?"  observed  the  prior, 
in  the  way  one  indirectly  asks  a  question. 

"  A  youth  that  hath  the  spirit,  father,  to  adventure  life  and 
character  for  the  glory  of  God,  through  the  advancement  of  his 
church,  by  embarking  in  our  enterprise.  He  cometh  of  a  rep- 
utable lineage,  and  is  not  without  the  gifts  of  fortune.  But 
for  the  care  of  guardians,  and  his  own  youth,  gold  would  not 
have  been  wanting  in  our  need.  As  it  is,  he  ventureth  his  own 
person,  if  one  can  be  said  to  risk  aught  in  an  expedition  that 
seemeth  truly  to  set  even  the  orders  of  their  Highnesses  at 
defiance." 

As  Columbus  ceased  speaking,  the  door  opened  and  Luis  de 
Bobadilla  entered.  The  young  grandee  had  laid  aside  all  the 
outward  evidences  of  his  high  rank,  and  now  appeared  in  the 


182  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

modest  guise  of  a  traveller  belonging  to  a  class  more  likely  to 
furnish  a  recruit  for  the  voyage,  than  one  of  the  rank  he  really 
was.  Saluting  Columbus  with  cordial  and  sincere  respect,  and 
the  Franciscan  with  humble  deference,  the  first  at  once  per- 
ceived that  this  gallant  and  reckless  spirit  had  truly  engaged  in 
the  enterprise  with  a  determination  to  use  all  the  means  that 
would  enable  him  to  go  through  with  it. 

"  Thou  art  welcome,  Pedro,"  Columbus  observed,  as  soon  as 
Luis  had  made  his  salutations  ;  u  thou  hast  reached  the  coast 
at  a  moment  when  thy  presence  and  support  may  be  exceed- 
ingly useful.  The  first  order  of  Her  Highness,  by  which  I 
should  have  received  the  services  of  the  twTo  caravels  to  which 
the  state  is  entitled,  hath  been  utterly  disregarded  ;  and  a  sec- 
ond mandate,  empowering  me  to  seize  upon  any  vessel  that 
may  suit  our  necessities,  hath  fared  but  little  better,  notwith- 
standing the  Senor  de  Penalosa  was  sent  directly  from  court  to 
enforce  its  conditions,  under  a  penalty,  to  the  port,  of  paying  a 
daily  tax  of  two  hundred  maravedis,  until  the  order  should  be 
fulfilled.  The  idiots  have  conjured  all  sorts  of  ills  with  which 
to  terrify  themselves  and  their  neighbors,  and  I  seem  to  be  as 
far  from  the  completion  of  my  hopes  as  I  was  before  I  procured 
the  friendship  of  this  holy  friar  and  the  royal  protection  of 
Dona  Isabella.  It  is  a  weary  thing,  my  good  Pedro,  to  waste 
a  life  in  hopes  defeated,  with  such  an  object  in  view  as  the 
spread  of  knowledge  and  the  extension  of  the  church  !•" 

"I  am  the  bearer  of  good  tidings,  Sefior,"  answered  the 
young  noble.  "  In  coming  hither  from  the  town  of  Moguer,  I 
journeyed  with  one  Martin  Alonzo  Pinzon,  a  mariner  with 
whom  I  have  formerly  voyaged,  and  we  have  Jiad  much  dis- 
course concerning  your  commission  and  difficulties.  He  tells 
me  that  he  is  known  to  you,  Senor  Colon,  and  I  should  judge 
from  his  discourse  that  he  thinketh  favorably  of  the  chances." 

-"He  doth — he  doth,  indeed,  good  Pedro,  and  hath  often 
listened  to  my  reasoning  like  a  discreet  and  skilful  navigator,  as 
I  make  no  question  he  really  is.  But  didst  thou  say  that  thou 
wast  known  to  him?" 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  183 

"  Seiior,  I  did.  We  have  voyaged  together  as  far  as  Cyprus, 
on  one  occasion,  and,  again,  to  tlse  island  of  the  English.  In 
such  long  voyages,  men  get  to  some  knowledge  of  each  other's 
temperament  and  disposition,  and,  of  a  sooth,  I  think  well  of 
both,  in  this  Senor  Pinzon." 

"  Thou  art  young  to  pass  an  opinion  on  a  mariner  of  Martin 
Alonzo's  years  and  experience,  son,"  put  in  the  friar;  "  a  man 
of  much  repute  in  this  vicinity,  and  of  no  little  wealth.  Nev- 
ertheless, I  am  rejoiced  to  hear  that  he  continueth  of  the  same 
mind  as  formerly,  in  relation  to  the  great  voyage  ;  for,  of  late, 
I  did  think  even  he  had  begun  to  waver." 

Don  Luis  had  expressed  himself  of  the  great  man  of  the 
vicinity,  more  like  a  Bobadilla  than  became  his  assumed 
name  of  Munos,  and  a  glance  from  the  eye  of  Columbus  told 
him  to  forget  his  rank  and  to  remember  the  disguise  he  had 
assumed. 

"  This  is  truly  encouraging,"  observed  the  navigator,  "  and 
openeth  a  brighter  view  of  Cathay.  Thou  wast  journeying 
between  Moguer  and  Palos,  I  think  thou  saidst,  when  this 
discourse  was  had  with  our  acquaintance,  the  good  Martin 
Alonzo  ?" 

"  I  was,  Senor,  and  it  was  he  who  sent  me  hither  in  quest  of 
the  admiral.  He  gave  you  the  title  that  the  queen's  favor  hath 
bestowed,  and  I  consider  that  no  small  sign  of  friendship,  as 
most  others  with  whom  I  have  conversed  in  this  vicinitj^  seem 
disposed  to  call  you  by  any  other  name." 

"  None  need  embark  in  this  enterprise,"  returned  the  navi- 
gator, gravely,  as  if  he  would  admonish  the  youth  that  this  was 
an  occasion  on  which  he  might  withdraw  from  the  adventure,  if 
he  saw  fit,  "  who  feel  disposed  to  act  differently,  or  who  dis- 
trust my  knowledge." 

"  By  San  Pedro,  my  patron  !  they  tell  another  tale  at  Palos, 
and  at  Moguer, .  Seiior  Amirale,"  returned  Luis,  laughing  ;  "  at 
which  places,  I  hear,  that  no  man  whose  skin  hath  been  a  little 
warmed  by  the  sun  of  the  ocean,  dare  show  himself  in  the 
highways,  lest  he  be  sent  to  Cathay  by  a  road  that  no  one  ever 


18i  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

yet  travelled,  except  in  fancy  !  There  is,  notwithstanding,  one 
free  and  willing  volunteer,  Ssnor  Colon,  who  is  disposed  to 
follow  you  to  the  edge  of  the  earth,  if  it  be  flat,  and  to  follow 
you  quite  around  it,  should  it  prove  to  be  a  sphere  ;  and  that 
is  one  Pedro  de  Munos,  who  engageth  with  you  from  no  sordid 
love  of  gold,  or  love  of  aught  else  that  men  usually  prize  ; 
but  from  the  pure  love  of  adventure,  somewhat  excited  and 
magnified,  perhaps,  by  love  of  the  purest  and  fairest  maid  of 
Castile." 

Fray  Juan  Perez  gazed  at  the  speaker,  whose  free  manner 
and  open  speech  a  good  deal  surprised  him ;  for  Columbus  had 
succeeded  in  awakening  so  much  respect  that  few  presumed  to 
use  any  levity  in  his  presence,  even  before  he  was  dignified  by 
the  high  rank  so  recently  conferred  by  the  commission  of  Isa-  ' 
bella.  Little  did  the  good  monk  suspect  that  one  of  a  still 
higher  personal  rank,  though  entirely  without  official  station, 
stood  before  him,  in  the  guise  of  Pedro  de  Munos ;  and  he 
could  not  refrain  from  again  expressing  the  little  relish  he  felt 
for  such  freedom  of  speech  and  deportment  toward  those  whom 
he  himself  habitually  regarded  with  so  much  respect. 

"It  would  seem,  Senor  Pedro  de  Munos,"  he  said,  "if  that 
be  thy  name — though  duke,  or  marquis,  or  count,  would  be  a 
title  better  becoming  thy  bearing — that  thou  treatest  His  Excel- 
lency the  Admiral  with  quite  as  much  freedom  of  thought,  at 
least,  as  thou  treatest  the  worthy  Martin  Alonzo  of  our  own 
neighborhood ;  a  follower  should  be  more  humble,  and  not  pass 
his  jokes  on  the  opinions  of  his  leader,  in  this  loose  style  of 
expression." 

"  I  crave  your  pardon,  holy  father,  and  that  of  the  admiral, 
too,  who  better  understandeth  me  I  trust,  if  there  be  any  just 
grounds  of  offence.  All  I  wish  to  express  is,  that  I  know  this 
Martin  Alonzo  of  your  neighborhood,  as  an  old  fellow-voy- 
ager ;  that  we  have  ridden  some  leagues  in  company  this  very 
day,  and  that,  after  close  discourse,  he  hath  manifested  a  friend- 
ly desire  to  put  his  shoulder  to  the  wheel,  in  order  to  lift  the 
expedition,   if  not  from  a  slough   of  mud,   at  least  from  the 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  185 

sands  of  the  river  ;  and  that  he  hath  promised  to  come  also  to 
this  good  convent  of  La  Rabida,  for  that  same  purpose  and  no 
other.  As  for  myself,  I  can  only  add,  that  here  I  am,  ready 
to  follow  wheresoever  the  honorable  Senor  Colon  may  see  fit  to 
lead." 

"'Tis  well,  good  Pedro — 'tis  well,"  rejoined  the  admiral. 
"  I  give  thee  full  credit  for  sincerity  and  spirit,  and  that  must 
content  thee  until  an  opportunity  offereth  to  convince  others. 
I  like  these  tidings  concerning  Martin  Alonzo,  father,  since  he 
might  truly  do  us  much  good  service,  and  his  zeal  had  assuredly 
beo;un  to  flag." 

' '  That  might  he,  and  that  will  he,  if  he  engageth  seriously 
in  the  affair.  Martin  is  the  greatest  navigator  on  all  this  coast, 
for,  though  I  did  not  know  that  he  had  ever  been  even  to  Cy- 
prus, as  would  appear  by  the  account  of  this  youth,  I  was  well 
aware  that  he  had  frequently  sailed  as  far  north  as  France,  and 
as  far  south  as  the  Canaries.  Dost  think  Cathay  much  more 
remote  than  Cyprus,  Senor  Almirante  ?" 

Columbus  smiled  at  this  question,  and  shook  his  head  in  the 
manner  of  one  who  would  prepare  a  friend  for  some  sore  disap- 
pointment. 

"  Although  Cyprus  be  not  distant  from  the  Holy  Land  and 
the  seat  of  the  Infidel's  power,"  he  answered,  "  Cathay  must 
lie  much  more  remote.  I  flatter  not  myself,  nor  those  who  are 
disposed  to  follow  me,  with  the  hope  of  reaching  the  Indies 
short  of  a  voyage  that  shall  extend  to  some  eight  hundred  or  a 
thousand  leagues." 

"  'Tis  a  fearful  and  a  weary  distance !"  exclaimed  the  Fran- 
ciscan ;  while  Luis  stood  in  smiling  unconcern,  equally  indiffer- 
ent whether  he  had  to  traverse  one  thousand  or  ten  thousand 
leagues  of  ocean,  so  that  the  journey  led  to  Mercedes  and  was 
productive  of  adventure.  "  A  fearful  and  weary  distance,  and 
yet  I  doubt  not,  Senor  Almirante,  that  you  are  the  very  man 
designed  by  Providence  to  overcome  it,  and  to  open  the  way 
for  those  who  will  succeed  you,  bearing  on  high  the  cross  of 
Christ  and  the  promises  of  his  redemption!" 


186  MERCEDES      OF      C4STILE. 

"  Let  us  hope  this,"  returned  Columbus,  reverently  making 
the  usual  sign  of  the  sacred  emblem  to  which  his  friend  alluded ; 
"  as  a  proof  that  we  have  some  worldly  foundation  for  the  ex- 
pectation, here  cometh  the  Selior  Pinzon  himself,  apparently 
hot  with  haste  to  see  us." 

Martin  Alonzo  Pinzon,  whose  name  is  so  familiar  to  the 
reader,  as  one  who  greatly  aided  the  Genoese  in  his  vast  under- 
taking, now  entered  the  room,  seemingly  earnest  and  bent  on 
some  fixed  purpose,  as  Columbus'  observant  eye  had  instantly 
detected.  Fray  Juan  Perez  was  not  a  little  surprised  to  see 
that  the  first  salutation  of  Martin  Alonzo,  the  great  man  of  the 
neighborhood,  was  directed  to  Pedro,  the  second  to  the  admiral, 
and  the  third  to  himself.  There  was  not  time,  however,  for  the 
worthy  Franciscan,  who  was  a  little  apt  to  rebuke  any  derelic- 
tion of  decency  on  the  spot,  to  express  what  he  felt  on  this  oc- 
casion, ere  Martin  Alonzo  opened  his  errand  with  an  eagerness 
that  showed  he  had  not  come  on  a  mere  visit  of  friendship,  or 
of  ceremony. 

"  I  am  sorely  vexed,  Sefior  Almirante,"  he  commenced,  "at 
learning  the  obstinacy,  and  the  disobedience  to  the  orders  of 
the  queen,  that  have  been  shown  among  our  mariners  of  Palos. 
Although  a  dweller  of  the  port  itself,  and  one  who  hath  always 
viewed  your  opinions  of  this  western  voyage  with  respect,  if  not 
with  absolute  faith,  I  did  not  know  the  full  extent  of  this  insub- 
ordination until  I  met,  by  accident,  an  old  acquaintance  on  the 
highway,  in  the  person  of  Don  Pedro — I  ought  to  say  the 
Senor  Pedro  de  Muiios,  here,  who,  coming  from  a  distance  as 
he  doth,  hath  discovered  more  of  our  backslidings  than  I  had 
learned  myself,  on  the  spot.  But,  Seiior,  you  are  not  now  to 
hear  for  the  first  time,  of  what  sort  of  stuff  men  are  made. 
They  are  reasoning  beings,  we  are  told  ;  notwithstanding  which 
undeniable  truth,  as  there  is  not  one  in  a  hundred  who  is  at  the 
trouble  to  do  his  own  thinking,  means  may  be  found  to  change 
the  opinions  of  a  sufficient  number  for  all  your  wants,  without 
their  even  suspecting  it." 

"  This  is  very  true,  neighbor  Martin  Alonzo,"  put  in  the 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  187 

friar — "  so  true,  that  it  might  go  into  a  homily  and  do  no 
disservice  to  religion.  Man  is  a  rational  animal,  and  an  ac- 
countable animal,  but  it  is  not  meet  that  he  should  be  a  think- 
ing animal.  In  matters  of  the  church,  now,  its  interests  being 
entrusted  to  a  ministry,  what  have  the  unlearned  and  ignorant 
to  say  of  its  affairs  ?  In  matters  of  navigation,  it  doth,  indeed, 
seem  as  if  one  steersman  were  better  than  a  hundred  !  Although 
man  be  a  reasoning  animal,  there  are  quite  as  many  occasions 
when  he  is  bound  to  obey  without  reasoning,  and  few  when  he 
should  be  permitted  to  reason  without  obeying." 

"All  true,  holy  friar  and  most  excellent  neighbor;  so  true 
that  you  will  find  no  one  in  Palos  to  deny  that,  at  least.  And 
now  we  are  on  the  subject,  I  may  as  well  add  that  it  is  the 
church  that  hath  thrown  more  obstacles  in  the  way  of  the  Senor 
Almirante's  success,  than  any  other  cause.  All  the  old  women 
of  the  port  declare  that  the  notion  of  the  earth's  being  round  is 
a  heresy,  and  contrary  to  the  Bible  ;  and,  if  the  truth  must  be 
said,  there  are  not  a  few  underlings  of  this  very  convent,  who 
uphold  them  in  the  opinion.  It  doth  appear  unnatural  to  tell 
one  who  hath  never  quitted  the  land,  and  who  seeth  himself 
much  oftener  in  a  valley  than  on  an  eminence,  that  the  globe 
is  round,  and,  though  I  have  had  many  occasions  to  see  the 
ocean,  it  would  not  easily  find  credit  with  me,  were  it  not  for 
the  fact  that  we  see  the  upper  and  smaller  sails  of  a  ship  first, 
when  approaching  her,  as  well  as  the  vanes  and  crosses  of  towns, 
albeit  they  are  the  smaller  objects  about  vessels  and  churches. 
We  mariners  have  one  way  to  inspirit  our  followers,  and  you 
churchmen  have  another ;  and,  now  that  I  intend  to  use  my 
means  to  put  wiser  thoughts  into  the  heads  of  the  seamen  of 
Palos,  reverend  friar,  I  look  to  you  to  set  the  church's  engines 
at  work,  so  as  to  silence  the  women,  and  to  quell  the  doubts  of 
the  most  zealous  among  your  own  brotherhood." 

"  Am  I  to  understand  by  this,  Senor  Pinzon,"  demanded 
Columbus,  "that  you  intend  to  take  a  direct  and  more  earnest 
interest  than  before  in  the  success  of  my  enterprise  ?" 

"  Senor,  you  may.     That  is  my  intention,  if  we  can  come  to 


188  MERCEDES      0  E      CASTILE. 

as  favorable  an  understanding  about  the  terms,  as  your  worship 
would  seem  to  have  entered  into  with  our  most  honored  mis- 
tress, Dona  Isabella  de  Trastamara.  I  have  had  some  discourse 
with  Senor  Don — I  would  say  with  the  Senor  Pedro  de  Munos, 
here — odd's  folly,  an  excess  of  courtesy  is  getting  to  be  a  vice 
with  me  of  late — but  as  he  is  a  youth  of  prudence,  and  mani- 
fests a  desire  to  embark  with  you,  it  hath  stirred  my  fancy  so 
far,  that  I  would  gladly  be  of  the  party.  Senor  de  Munos  and 
I  have  voyaged  so  much  together,  that  I  Avould  fain  see  his 
worthy  countenance  once  more  upon  the  ocean." 

"  These  are  cheerful  tidings,  Martin  Alonzo" — eagerly  put 
in  the  friar,  "  and  thy  soul,  and  the  souls  of  all  who  belong  to 
you,  will  reap  the  benefits  of  this  manly  and  pious  resolution. 
It  is  one  thing,  Senor  Almirante,  to  have  their  Highnesses  of 
your  side,  in  a  place  like  Palos,  and  another  to  have  our  worthy 
neighbor  Pinzon,  here ;  for,  if  they  are  sovereigns  in  law,  he  is 
an  emperor  in  opinion.  I  doubt  not  that  the  caravels  will  now 
be  speedily  forthcoming." 

"  Since  thou  seemest  to  have  truly  resolved  to  enter  into  our 
enterprise,  Senor  Martin  Alonzo,"  added  Columbus,  with  his 
dignified  gravity,  "  out  of  doubt,  thou  hast  well  bethought  thee 
of  the  conditions,  and  art  come  prepared  to  let  them  be  known. 
Do  they  savor  of  the  terms  that  have  already  been  in  discussion 
between  us  ?" 

"  Senor  Admiral,  they  do ;  though  gold  is  not,  just  now,  as 
abundant  in  our  purses,  as  when  we  last  discoursed  on  this  sub- 
ject. On  that  head,  some  obstacles  may  exist,  but  on  all 
others,  I  doubt  not,  a  brief  explanation  between  us  will  leave 
the  matter  free  from  doubt." 

"  As  to  the  eighth,  for  which  I  stand  committed  with  their 
Highnesses,  Senor  Pinzon,  there  will  be  less  reason,  now,  to 
raise  that  point  between  us,  than  when  we  last  met,  as  other 
means  may  offer  to  redeem  that  pledge" — as  Columbus  spoke, 
his  eyes  involuntarily  turned  toward  the  pretended  Pedro,  whither 
those  of  Martin  Alonzo  Pinzon  significantly  followed;  "  but 
there  will  be  many  difficulties  to  overcome  with  these  terrified 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  189 

and  silly  mariners,  which  may  yield  to  thy  influence.  If  thou 
wilt  come  with  me  into  this  chamber,  we  will  at  once  discuss 
the  heads  of  our  treaty,  leaving  this  youth,  the  while,  to  the 
hospitality  of  our  reverend  friend." 

The  prior  raising  no  objection  to  this  proposition,  it  was  im- 
mediately put  in  execution,  Columbus  and  Pinzon  withdrawing 
to  a  more  private  apartment,  leaving  Fray  Juan  Perez  alone 
with  our  hero. 

"  Then  thou  thinkest  seriously,  son,  of  making  one  in  this 
great  enterprise  of  the  admiral's,"  said  the  Franciscan,  as  soon 
as  the  door  was  closod  on  those  who  had  just  left  them,  eyeing 
Luis,  for  the  first  time,  with  a  more  strict  scrutiny  than  hith- 
erto he  had  leisure  to  exercise.  "Thou  earnest  thyself  much 
like  the  young  lords  of  the  court,  and  wilt  have  occasion  to 
acquire  a  less  towering  air  in  the  narrow  limits  of  one  of  our 
Palos  caravels." 

"  I  am  no  stranger  to  Nao,  Carraca,  Fusta,  Pinaza,  Cara- 
belon,  or  Felucca,  holy  prior,  and  shall  carry  myself  with  the 
admiral,  as  I  should  carry  myself  before  Don  Fernando  of  Ara- 
gon,  were  he  my  fellow-voyager,  or  in  the  presence  of  Boabdil 
of  Grenada,  were  that  unhappy  monarch  again  seated  on  the 
throne  from  which  he  hath  been  so  lately  hurled,  urging  his 
chivalry  to  charge  the  knights  of  Christian  Spain." 

"  These  are  fine  words,  son,  ay,  and  uttered  with  a  tilting 
air,  if  truth  must  be  said  ;  but  they  will  avail  thee  nothing 
with  this  Genoese,  who  hath  that  in  him,  that  would  leave  him 
unabashed  even  in  the  presence  of  our  gracious  lady,  Dona  Isa- 
bella, herself." 

"  Thou  knowest  the  queen,  holy  monk  ?"  inquired  Luis,  for- 
getting his  assumed  character,  in  the  freedom  of  his  address. 

"  I  ought  to  know  her  inmost  heart,  son,  for  often  have 
I  listened  to  her  pure  and  meek  spirit,  in  the  secrets  of  the 
confessional.  Much  as  she  is  beloved  by  us  Castilians,  no  one 
can  know  the  true,  spiritual  elevation  of  that  pious  princess, 
and  most  excellent  woman,  but  they  who  have  had  occasion  to 
shrive  her." 


190  MEECEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

Don  Luis  hemmed,  played  with  the  handle  of  his  rapier, 
and  then  gave  utterance  to  the  uppermost  thought,  as  usual. 

"  Didst  thou,  by  any  chance  of  thy  priestly  office,  father, 
ever  find  it  necessary  to  confess  a  maiden  of  the  court,  who 
is  much  esteemed  by  the  queen  !"  he  inquired,  "  and  whose 
spirit,  I'll  answer  for  it,  is  as  pure  as  that  of  Dona  Isabella's 
itself." 

"  Son,  thy  question  denoteth  greater  necessity  for  repairing 
to  Salamanca,  in  order  to  be  instructed  in  the  history,  and 
practices,  and  faith  of  the  church,  than  to  be  entering  into  an 
enterprise,  even  as  commendable  as  this  of  Colon's !  Dost 
thou  not  know  that  we  churchmen  are  not  permitted  to  betray 
the  secrets  of  the  confessional,  or  to  draw  comparisons  between 
penitents  ?  and,  moreover,  that  we  do  not  take  even  Dona  Isa- 
bella, the  blessed  Maria  keep  her  ever  in  mind,  as  the  standard 
of  holiness  to  which  all  Christians  are  expected  to  aim  ?  The 
maiden  of  whom  thou  speakest  may  be  virtuous,  according  to 
worldly  notions,  and  yet  a  grievous  sinner  in  the  eyes  of  mother 
church." 

"  I  should  like,  before  I  quit  Spain,  to  hear  a  Mendoza,  or  a 
Guzman,  who  hath  not  a  shaven  crown,  venture  to  hint  as  much, 
most  reverend  prior  !" 

u  Thou  art  hot  and  restive,  and  talkest  idly,  son ;  what  would 
one  like  thee  find  to  say  to  a  Guzman,  or  a  Mendoza,  or  a  Bo- 
badilla,  even,  did  he  affirm  what  thou  wishest  ?  But,  who  is  the 
maid,  in  whom  thy  feelings  seem  to  take  so  deep,  although  I 
question  if  it  be  not  an  unrequited,  interest  ?" 

"  Nay,  I  did  but  speak  in  idleness.  Our  stations  have  made 
such  a  chasm  between  us,  that  it  is  little  likely  we  should  ever 
come  to  speech ;  nor  is  my  merit  such  as  would  be  apt  to  cause 
her  to  forget  her  high  advantages." 

"Still,  she  hath  a  name  ?" 

"  She  hath,  truly,  prior,  and  a  right  noble  one  it  is.  I  had 
the  Dona  Maria  de  las  Mercedes  de  Valverde  in  my  thoughts, 
when  the  light  remark  found  utterance.  Haply,  thou  may'st 
know  that  illustrious  heiress  ?" 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  191 

Fray  Juan  Perez,  a  truly  guileless  priest,  started  at  the 
name  ;  then  he  gazed  intently,  and  with  a  sort  of  pity,  at  the 
youth  ;  after  which  he  bent  his  head  toward  the  tiles  beneath 
his  feet,  smiled,  and  shook  his  head  like  one  whose  thoughts 
were  very  active. 

"I  do,  indeed,  know  the  lady,"  he  said,  "and  even  when 
last  at  court,  on  this  errand  of  Colon's,  their  own  confessor 
being  ill,  I  shrived  her,  as  well  as  my  royal  mistress.  That  she 
is  worthy  of  Dona  Isabella's  esteem  is  true  ;  but  thy  admira- 
tion for  this  noble  maiden,  which  must  be  something  like  the 
distant  reverence  we  feel  for  the  clouds  that  sail  above  our 
heads,  can  scarce  be  founded  on  any  rational  hopes." 

"Thou  canst  not  know  that,  father.  If  this  expedition  end 
as  we  trust,  all  who  engage  in  it  will  be  honored  and  advanced ; 
and  why  not  I,  as  well  as  another  ?" 

"  In  this,  thou  may'st  utter  truth,  but  as  for  the  Doiia — " 
The  Franciscan  checked  himself,  for  he  was  about  to  betray  the 
secret  of  the  confessional.  He  had,  in  truth,  listened  to  the 
contrition  of  Mercedes,  of  which  her  passion  for  Luis  was  the 
principal  cause ;  and  it  was  he  who,  with  a  species  of  pious 
fraud  of  which  he  was  himself  unconscious,  had  first  pointed 
out  the  means  by  which  the  truant  noble  might  be  made  to 
turn  his  propensity  to  rove  to  the  profit  of  his  love ;  and  his 
mind  was  full  of  her  beautiful  exhibition  of  purity  and  natural 
feeling,  nearly  even  to  overflowing.  But  habit  and  duty  inter- 
fered in  time,  and  he  did  not  utter  the  name  that  had  been 
trembling  on  his  lips.  Still,  his  thoughts  continued  in  this 
current,  and  his  tongue  gave  utterance  to  that  portion  of  them 
which  he  believed  to  be  harmless.  "  Thou  hast  been  much 
about  the  world,  it  would  seem,  by  Master  Alonzo's  greeting," 
he  continued,  after  a  short  pause  ;  "  didst  ever  meet,  son,  with 
a  certain  cavalier  of  Castile,  named  Don  Luis  de  Bobadilla — a 
grandee,  who  also  bears  the  title  of  Conde  de  Llera  VI 

"  I  know  little  of  his  hopes,  and  care  less  for  his  titles,"  re- 
turned Luis,  calmly,  who  thought  he  would  manifest  a  magnan- 
imous indifference  to  the  Franciscan's  opinions — "  but  I  have 


102  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

seen  the  cavalier,  and  a  roving,  mad-brained,  graceless  youth,  it 
is,  of  whom  no  good  can  be  expected." 

"  I  fear  this  is  but  too  true,"  rejoined  Fray  Juan  Perez,  shak- 
ing his  head  in  a  melancholy  manner — "  and  yet  they  say  he  is 
a  gallant  knight,  and  the  very  best  lance  in  all  Spain." 

"  Ay,  he  may  be  that,"  answered  Luis,  hemming  a  little  loud- 
er than  was  decorous,  for  his  throat  began  to  grow  husky — 
"  Ay,  he  may  be  that ;  but  of  what  avail  is  a  good  lance  with- 
out a  good  character.  I  hear  little  commendable  of  this  young 
Conde  de  Llera." 

"  I  trust  he  is  not  the  man  he  generally  passeth  for," — an- 
swered the  simple-hearted  monk,  without  in  the  least  suspecting 
his  companion's  disguise ;  "  and  I  do  know  that  there  are  some 
who  think  well  of  him — nay,  whose  existence,  I  might  say 
whose  very  souls,  are  wrapped  up  in  him  !" 

"  Holy  Franciscan  ! — why  wilt  thou  not  mention  the  names 
of  one  or  two  of  these  V  demanded  Luis,  with  an  impetuosity 
that  caused  the  prior  to  start. 

"  And  why  should  I  give  this  information  to  thee,  young 
man,  more  than  to  another?" 

"Why,  father — why,  for  several  most  excellent  and  un- 
answerable reasons.  In  the  first  place,  I  am  a  youth  myself,  as 
thou  seest ;  and  example,  they  say,  is  better  than  precept.  Then, 
too,  /  am  somewhat  given  to  roving,  and  it  may  profit  me  to 
know  how  others  of  the  same  propensity  have  sped.  More- 
over, it  would  gladden  my  inmost  heart  to  hear  that — but  two 
sufficient  reasons  are  better  than  three,  and  thou  hast  the  first 
number  already." 

Fray  Juan  Perez,  a  devout  Christian,  a  learned  churchman, 
and  a  liberal  scholar,  was  as  simple  as  a  child  in  matters  that 
related  to  the  world  and  its  passions.  Nevertheless,  he  was  not 
so  dull  as  to  overlook  the  strange  deportment  and  stranger  lan- 
guage of  his  companion.  A  direction  had  been  given  to  his 
thoughts  by  the  mention  of  the  name  of  our  heroine  ;  and,  as 
he  himself  had  devised  the  very  course  taken  by  our  hero,  the 
truth  began  to  dawn  on  his  imagination. 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  193 

"Young  cavalier,"  lie  exclaimed,  u  thou  art  Don  Luis  de 
Bobadilla !" 

"  I  shall  never  deny  the  prophetic  knowledge  of  a  church- 
man, worthy  father,  after  this  detection  !  I  am  he  thou  sayest, 
entered  on  this  expedition  to  win  the  love  of  Mercedes  de 
Valverde." 

"  "lis  as  I  thought — and  yet,  Senor,  you  might  have  taken 
our  poor  convent  less  at  an  advantage.  Suffer  that  I  command 
the  lay  brothers  to  place  refreshments  before  you !" 

"  Thy  pardon,  excellent  prior — Pedro  de  Munos,  or  even 
Pero  Gutierrez,  hath  no  need  of  food;  but,  now  that  thou 
knowest  me,  there  can  be  less  reason  for  not  conversing  of  the 
Dona  Mercedes  8" 

"  Now  that  I  know  thee,  Senor  Conde,  there  is  greater  rea- 
son for  silence  on  that  head,"  returned  Fray  Juan  Perez,  smil- 
ing. "  Thine  aunt,  the  most  esteemecf  and  virtuous  lady  of 
Moya,  can  give  thee  all  occasion  to  urge  thy  suit  with  this 
charming  maiden,  and  it  would  ill  become  a  churchman  to 
temper  her  prudence  by  any  indiscreet  interference." 

This  explanation  was  the  commencement  of  a  long  and  con- 
fidential dialogue,  in  which  the  worthy  prior,  now  that  he  was 
on  his  guard,  succeeded  in  preserving  his  main  secret,  though 
he  much  encouraged  the  young  man  in  the  leading  hope  of  his 
existence,  as  well  as  in  his  project  to  adhere  to  the  fortunes  of 
Columbus.  In  the  mean  while,  the  great  navigator  himself  con- 
tinued closeted  with  his  new  counsellor  ;  and  when  the  two  re- 
appeared, it  was  announced  to  those  without  that  the  latter  had 
engaged  in  the  enterprise  with  so  much  zeal,  that  he  actually 
entertained  the  intention  of  embarking  on  board  of  one  of  the 
caravels  in  person. 


194  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE 


CHAPTER  XII. 

"  Yet  he  to  whom  each  danger  hath  become 
A  dark  delight,  and  every  wild  a  home, 
Still  urges  onward — undismayed  to  tread 
Where  life's  fond  lovers  would  recoil  with  dread.1' 

The  Abencerrage. 

The  intelligence  that  Martin  Alonzo  Pinzon  was  to  make  one 
of  the  followers  of  Colon,  spread  through  the  village  of  Palos 
like  wild-fire.  Volunteers  were  no  longer  wanting ;  the  exam- 
ple of  one  known  and  respected  in  the  vicinity,  operating  far 
more  efficiently  on  the  minds  of  the  mariners,  than  the  orders 
of  the  queen  or  the  philosophy  of  Columbus.  Martin  Alonzo 
they  knew  ;  they  were  accustomed  to  submit  to  his  influence  ; 
they  could  follow  in  his  footsteps,  and  had  confidence  in  his 
judgment ;  whereas,  the  naked  orders  of  an  unseen  sovereign, 
however  much  beloved,  had  more  of  the  character  of  a  severe 
judgment  than  of  a  generous  enterprise  ;  and  as  for  Columbus, 
though  most  men  were  awed  by  his  dignified  appearance  and 
grave  manner,  when  out  of  sight  he  was  as  much  regarded  as 
an  adventurer  at  Palos,  as  he  had  been  at  Santa  Fe. 

The  Pinzons  set  about  their  share  of  the  expedition  after  the 
manner  of  those  who  were  more  accustomed  to  execute  than  to 
plan.  Several  of  the  family  entered  cordially  into  the  work  ; 
and  a  brother  of  Martin  Alonzo' s,  whose  name  was  Vincente 
Yanez,  also  a  mariner  by  profession,  joined  the  adventurers  as 
commander  of  one  of  the  vessels,  while  another  took  service  as 
a  pilot.  In  short,  the  month  that  succeeded  the  incidents  just 
mentioned,  was  actively  employed,  and  more  was  done  in  that 
short  space  of  time  toward  bringing  about  a  solution  of  the 
great  problem  of  Columbus,  than  had  been  accomplished,  in  a 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  195 

practical  way,  during  the  seventeen  long  years  that  the  subject 
had  occupied  his  time  and  engrossed  his  thoughts. 

Notwithstanding  the  local  influence  of  the  Pinzons,  a  vigor- 
ous opposition  to  the  project  still  existed  in  the  heart  of  the 
little  community  that  had  been  chosen  for  the  place  of  equip- 
ment of  the  different  vessels  required.  This  family  had  its 
enemies  as  well  as  its  friends,  and,  as  is  usual  with  most  human 
undertakings,  two  parties  sprang  up,  one  of  which  was  quite  as 
busily  occupied  in  thwarting  the  plans  of  the  navigator,  as  the 
other  was  engaged  in  promoting  them.  One  vessel  had  been 
seized  for  the  service,  under  the  order  of  the  court,  and  her  own- 
ers became  leaders  of  the  dissatisfied  faction.  Many  seamen,  ac- 
cording to  the  usage  of  that  day,  had  been  impressed  for  duty 
on  this  extraordinary  and  mysterious  voyage  ;  and,  as  a  matter 
of  course,  they  and  their  friends  were  not  slow  to  join  the  ranks 
of  the  disaffected.  Much  of  the  necessary  work  was  found  to 
be  imperfectly  done ;  and  when  the  mechanics  were  called  on 
to  repair  these  omissions,  they  absconded  in  a  body.  As  the 
time  for  sailing  approached,  the  contention  grew  more  and  more 
violent,  and  even  the  Pinzons  had  the  mortification  of  discover- 
ing that  many  of  those  who  had  volunteered  to  follow  their  for- 
tunes, began  to  waver,  and  that  some  had  unequivocally  deserted. 

Such  was  the  state  of  things,  toward  the  close  of  the  month 
of  July,  when  Martin  Alonzo  Pinzon  again  repaired  to  the  con- 
vent of  Santa  Maria  de  Rabida,  where  Columbus  continued  to 
pass  most  of  the  time  that  was  not  given  to  a  direct  personal 
superintendence  of  the  preparations,  and  where  Luis  de  Boba- 
dilla,  who  was  altogether  useless  in  the  actual  condition  of 
affairs,  also  passed  many  a  weary  hour,  chafing  for  active  duty, 
and  musing  on  the  loveliness,  truth,  and  virtues  of  Mercedes  de 
Valverde.  Fray  Juan  Perez  was  earnest  in  his  endeavors  to 
facilitate  the  execution  of  the  objects  of  his  friends,  and  he  had 
actually  succeeded,  if  not  in  absolutely  suppressing  the  expres- 
sion of  all  injurious  opinion  on  the  part  of  the  less  enlightened 
of  the  brotherhood,  at  least  in  rendering  the  promulgation  of 
them  more  cautious  and  private. 


196  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

When  Columbus  and  the  prior  were  told  that  the  Senor 
Pinzon  sought  an  interview,  neither  was  slow  in  granting  the 
favor.  As  the  hour  of  departure  drew  nigh,  the  importance  of 
this  man's  exertions  became  more  and  more  apparent,  and  both 
well  knew  that  the  royal  protection  of  Isabella  herself,  just  at 
that  moment  and  in  that  place,  was  of  less  account  than  that  of 
this  active  mariner.  The  Senor  Pinzon,  therefore,  had  not  long 
t  o  wait  for  his  audience,  having  been  ushered  into  the  room  that 
was  commonly  occupied  by  the  zealous  Franciscan,  almost  as 
soon  as  his  request  was  preferred. 

"Thou  art  right  welcome,  worthy  Martin  Alonzo !"  ex- 
claimed the  prior,  the  moment  he  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  fea- 
tures of  his  old  acquaintance — "How  get  on  matters  at  Palos, 
and  when  shall  we  have  this  holy  undertaking  in  a  fair  direction 
for  success  V 

"  By  San  Francisco,  reverend  prior,  that  is  more  than  it  will 
be  safe  for  any  man  to  answer.  I  have  thought  we  were  in  a 
fair  way  to  make  sail,  a  score  of  times,  when  some  unforeseen 
difficulty  hath  arisen.  The  Santa  Maria,  on  board  which  the 
admiral  and  the  Senor  Gutierrez,  or  de  Munos,  if  he  will  have 
it  so,  will  embark,  is  already  fitted.  She  may  be.  set  down  as 
a  tight  craft,  and  somewhat  exceedeth  a  hundred  tons  in  bur- 
then, so  that  I  trust  his  excellency,  and  all  the  gallant  cavaliers 
who  may  accompany  him,  will  be  as  comfortable  as  the  holy 
monks  of  Eabida — more  especially  as  the  good  caravel  hath  a 
deck." 

"  These  are,  truly,  glad  tidings,"  returned  the  prior,  rubbing 
his  hands  with  delight — "  and  the  excellent  craft  hath  really  a 
deck  !  Senor  Almirante,  thou  mayst  not  be  in  a  vessel  that  is 
altogether  worthy  of  thy  high  aim,  but,  on  the  whole,  thou  wilt 
be  both  safe  and  comfortable,  keeping  in  view,  in  particular,  this 
convenient  and  sheltering  deck." 

"  Neither  my  safety  nor  my  convenience  is  a  consideration 
to  be  mentioned,  friend  Juan  Perez,  when  there  is  question  of 
so  much  graver  matters.  I  rejoice  that  thou  hast  come  to  the 
convent  this  morning,  Senor  Martin  Alonzo,  as,  being  about  to 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  197 

address  letters  to  the  court,  by  means  of  an  especial  courier,  I 
desire  to  know  the  actual  condition  of  things.  Thou  thinkest 
the  Santa  Maria  will  be  in  a  state  for  service  by  the  end  of  the 
month  ?" 

"  Senor,  I  do.  The  ship  hath  been  prepared  with  due  dili- 
gence, and  will  conveniently  hold  some  three  score,  should  the 
panic  that  hath  seized  on  so  many  of  the  besotted  fools  of 
Palos,  leave  us  that  number,  who  may  still  be  disposed  to  em- 
bark. I  trust  that  the  saints  look  upon  our  many  efforts,  and 
will  remember  our  zeal  when  we  shall  come  to  a  joint  division 
of  the  benefits  of  this  undertaking,  which  hath  had  no  equal  in 
the  history  of  navigation  !" 

"  The  benefits,  honest  Martin  Alonzo,  will  be  found  in  the 
spread  of  the  church's  dominion,  and  the  increased  glory  of 
God  !"  put  in  the  prior,  significantly. 

"  Out  of  all  question,  holy  Fray  Juan  Perez — this  is  the 
common  aim  ;  though  I  trust  it  is  permitted  to  a  pains-taking 
mariner  to  bethink  him  of  his  wife  and  children,  in  discreet 
subordination  to  those  greater  ends.  I  have  much  mistaken 
the  Senor  Colon,  if  he  do  not  look  for  some  little  advantage,  in 
the  way  of  gold,  from  this  visit  to  Cathay.' ' 

"  Thou  hast  not  mistaken  me,  honest  Martin  Alonzo,"  re- 
turned Columbus,  gravely.  "I  do,  indeed,  expect  to  see  the 
wealth  of  the  Indies  pouring  into  the  coffers  of  Castile,  in  con- 
sequence of  this  voyage.  In  sooth,  excellent  prior,  in  my 
view,  the  recovery  of  the  holy  sepulchre  is  dependent  mainly 
on  the  success  of  our  present  undertaking,  in  the  way  of  a  sub- 
stantial worldly  success." 

"  This  is  well,  Senor  Admiral,"  put  in  Martin  Alonzo,  a  little 
hastily,  "  and  ought  to  gain  us  great  favor  in  the  eyes  of  all 
good  Christians — more  especially  with  the  monks  of  la  Eabida. 
But  it  is  hard  enough  to  persuade  the  mariners  of  the  port  to 
obey  the  queen,  in  this  matter,  and  to  fulfil  their  engagements 
with  ourselves,  without  preaching  a  crusade,  as  the  best  means 
of  throwing  away  the  few  maravedis  they  may  happen  to  gain 
by  their  hardships  and  courage.  The  worthy  pilots,  Francisco 
9 


198  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

Martin  Pinzon,  mine  own  "brother,  Sancho  Ruiz,  Pedro  Alonzo 
Nino,  and  Bartolemeo  Roldan,  are  all  now  firmly  tied  to  us  by 
the  ropes  of  the  law  ;  but  should  they  happen  to  find  a  crusade 
at  their  end,  all  the  saints  in  the  calendar  would  scarce  have 
influence  to  make  them  hesitate  about  loosening  themselves 
from  the  agreement." 

"I  hold  no  one  but  myself  bound  to  this  object,"  returned 
Columbus,  calmly.  "Each  man,  friend  Martin  Alonzo,  will 
be  judged  by  his  own  deeds,  and  called  on  to  fulfil  his  own 
vows.  Of  those  who  pledge  naught,  naught  will  be  exacted, 
and  naught  given  at  the  great  final  account  of  the  human  race. 
But  what  are  the  tidings  of  the  Pinta,  thine  own  vessel  ?  Hath 
she  been  finally  put  into  a  condition  to  buffet  the  Atlantic  ?" 

"  As  ever  happeneth  with  a  vessel  pressed  into  the  royal 
service,  Senor,  work  hath  gone  on  heavily,  and  things  in  gene- 
ral have  not  borne  that  merry  activity  which  accompanieth  the 
labor  of  those  who  toil  of  a  free  will,  and  for  their  own  benefit." 

"The  silly  mariners  have  toiled  in  their  own  behalf,  without 
knowing  it,"  observed  Columbus.  "  It  is  the  duty  of  the  igno- 
rant to  submit  to  be  led  by  the  more  enlightened,  and  to  be 
grateful  for  the  advantages  they  derive  from  a  borrowed  knowl- 
edge, albeit  it  is  obtained  contrary  to  their  own  wishes." 

"  That  is  it,  truly,"  added  the  prior  ;  "  else  would  the  office 
of  us  churchmen  be  reduced  to  very  narrow  limits.  Faith — 
faith  in  the  church — is  the  Christian's  earliest  and  latest  duty." 

"  This  seemeth  reasonable,  excellent  sirs,"  returned  Master 
Alonzo,  "though  the  ignorant  find  it  difficult  to  comprehend 
matters  that  they  do  not  understand.  When  a  man  fancieth 
himself  condemned  to  an  unheard-of  death,  he  is  little  apt  to 
see  the  benefit  that  lieth  beyond  the  grave.  Nevertheless,  the 
Pinta  is  more  nearly  ready  for  the  voyage,  than  any  other  of 
our  craft,  and  hath  her  crew  engaged  to  a  man,  and  that  under 
contracts  that  will  not  permit  much  dispute  before  a  notary." 

u  There  remaineth  only  the  Nina,  then,"  added  Columbus  ; 
"  with  her  prepared,  and  our  religious  duties  observed,  we  may 
hope  finally  to  commence  the  enterprise  !" 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  190 

"  Senor,  you  may.  My  brother,  Vicente  Yanez,  hath  finally 
consented  to  take  charge  of  this  little  craft ;  and  that  which  a 
Pinzon  promiseth,  a  Pinzon  performeth.  She  will  be  ready  to 
depart  with  the  Santa  Maria  and  the  Pinta,  and  Cathay  must 
be  distant,  indeed,  if  we  do  not  reach  it  with  one  or  the  other 
of  our  vessels." 

"This  is  right  encouraging,  neighbor  Martin  Alonzo,"  re- 
turned the  friar,  rubbing  his  hands  with  delight;  "and  I  make 
no  question  all  will  come  round  in  the  end.-  What  say  the 
crones  and  loose  talkers  of  Moguer,  and  of  the  other  ports, 
touching  the  shape  of  the  earth,  and  the  chances  of  the  ad- 
miral's reaching  the  Indies,  now-a-days  ?" 

"They  discourse  much  as  they  did,  Fray  Juan  Perez,  idly 
and  without  knowledge.  Although  there  is  not  a  mariner  in 
any  of  the  havens  who  doth  not  admit  that  the  upper  sails, 
though  so  much  the  smallest,  are  the  first  seen  on  the  ocean, 
yet  do  they  deny  that  this  cometh  of  the  shape  of  the  earth, 
but,  as  they  affirm,  of  the  movements  of  the  waters." 

"  Have  none  of  them  ever  observed  the  shadows  cast  by  the 
earth,  in  the  eclipses  of  the  moon?"  asked  Columbus,  in  his 
calm  manner,  though  he  smiled,  even  in  putting  the  question, 
as  one  smiles  who,  having  dipped  deeply  into  a  natural  problem 
himself,  carelessly  lays  one  of  its  more  popular  proofs  before 
those  who  are  less  disposed  to  go  beneath  the  surface.  "  Do 
they  not  see  that  these  shadows  are  round,  and  do  they  not 
know  that  a  shadow  which  is  round  can  only  be  cast  by  a  body 
that  is  round !"  % 

"  This  is  conclusive,  good  Martin  Alonzo,"  put  in  the  prior, 
"audit  ought  to  remove  the  doubts  of  the  silliest  gossip  on 
the  coast.  Tell  them  to  encircle  their  dwellings,  beginning  to 
the  right,  and  see  if,  by  following  the  walls,  they  do  not  return 
to  the  spot  from  which  they  started,  coming  in  from  the  left." 

"  Ay,  reverend  prior,  if  we  could  bring  our  distant  voyage 
down  to  these  familiar  examples,  there  is  not  a  crone  in 
Moguer,  or  a  courtier  at  Seville,  that  might  not  be  made  to 
comprehend  the  mystery.     But  it  is  one  thing  to  state  a  prob- 


200  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE, 

lem  fairly,  and  another  to  find  those  who  can  understand  it. 
Now,  I  did  give  some  such  reasoning  to  the  Alguiazil,  in  Palos 
here,  and  the  worthy  Senor  asked  me  if  I  expected  to  return 
from  this  voyage  by  the  way  of  the  lately  captured  town  of 
Granada.  I  fancy  that  the  easiest  method  of  persuading  these 
good  people  to  believe  that  Cathay  can  be  reached  by  the 
western  voyage,  will  be  by  going  there  and  returning.' ' 

"  Which  we  will  shortly  do,  Master  Martin  Alonzo,"  ob- 
served Columbus,  cheerfully — "But  the  time  of  our  departure 
draweth  near,  and  it  is  meet  that  none  of  us  neglect  the  duties 
of  religion.  I  commend  thee  to  thy  confessor,  Senor  Pinzon, 
and  expect  that  all  who  sail  with  me,  in  this  great  enterprise, 
will  receive  the  holy  communion  in  my  company,  bef6re  we 
quit  the  haven.  This  excellent  prior  will  shrive  Pedro  de 
Munos  and  myself,  and  let  each  man  seek  such  other  holy  coun- 
sellor and  monitor  as  hath  been  his  practice." 

With  this  intimation  of  his  intention  to  pay  a  due  regard 
to  the  rites  of  the  church  before  he  departed — rites  that  were 
seldom  neglected  in  that  day — the  conversation  turned,  for  the 
moment,  on  the  details  of  the  preparations.  After  this  the 
parties  separated,  and  a  few  more  days  passed  away  in  active 
exertions. 

On  the  morning  of  Thursday,  August  the  second,  1492, 
Columbus  entered  the  private  apartment  of  Fray  Juan  Perez, 
habited  like  a  penitent,  and  with  an  air  so  devout,  and  yet  so 
calm,  that  it  was  evident  his  thoughts  were  altogether  bent  on 
his  own  transgressions  and*on  the  goodness  of  God.  The 
zealous  priest  was  in  waiting,  and  the  great  navigator  knelt  at 
the  feet  of  him,  before  whom  Isabella  had  often  knelt,  in  the 
fulfilment  of  the  same  solemnity.  The  religion  of  this  extra- 
ordinary man  was  colored  by  the  habits  and  opinions  of  his 
age,  as,  indeed,  in  a  greater  or  less  degree,  must  be  the  religion 
of  every  man  ;  his  confession,  consequently,  had  that  admix- 
ture of  deep  piety  with  inconsistent  error,  that  so  often  meets 
the  moralist  in  his  investigations  into  the  philosophy  of  the 
human  mind.     The  truth  of  this  peculiarity  will  be  seen,  by 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  201 

adverting  to  one  or  two  of  the  admissions  of  the  great  naviga- 
tor, as  he  laid  before  his  ghostly  counsellor  the  catalogue  of  his 
sins. 

"Then,  I  fear,  holy  father,"  Columbus  continued,  after  hav- 
ing made  most  of  the  usual  confessions  touching  the  more 
familiar  weaknesses  of  the  human  race,  "  that  my  mind  hath 
become  too  much  exalted  in  this  matter  of  the-voyage,  and  that 
I  may  have  thought  myself  more  directly  set  apart  by  God,  for 
some  good  end,  than  it  might  please  his  infinite  knowledge  and 
wisdom  to  grant." 

"  That  would  be  a  dangerous  error,  my  son,  and  I  carefully 
admonish  thee  against  the  evils  of  self-righteousness.  That 
God  selecteth  his  agents,  is  beyond  dispute  ;  but  it  is  a  fearful 
error  to  mistake  the  impulses  of  self-love,  for  the  movements 
of  his  Divine  Spirit !  It  is  hardly  safe  for  any  who  have 
not  received  the  church's  ordination,  to  deem  themselves  chosen 
vessels." 

"  I  endeavor  so  to  consider  it,  holy  friar,"  answered  Colum- 
bus, meekly;  "  and,  yet,  there  is  that  within,  which  constantly 
urgeth  to  this  belief,  be  it  a  delusion,  or  come  it  directly 
from  heaven.  I  strive,  father,  to  keep  the  feeling  in  subjection, 
and  most  of  all  do  I  endeavor  to  see  that  it  taketh  a  direction 
that  may  glorify  the  name  of  God  and  serve  the  interests  of  his 
visible  church." 

"  This  is  well,  and  yet  do  I  feel  it  a  duty  to  admonish  thee 
against  too  much  credence  in  these  inward  impulses.  So  long 
as  they  tend,  solely,  to  increase  thy  love  for  the  Supreme 
Father  of  all,  to  magnify  his  holiness,  and  glorify  his  nature, 
thou  may'st  be  certain  it  is  the  offspring  of  good ;  but  when 
self-exaltation  seemeth  to  be  its  aim,  beware  the  impulse,  as 
thou  wouldst  eschew  the  dictation  of  the  great  father  of  evil !" 

"  I  so  consider  it ;  and  now  having  truly  and  sincerely  dis- 
burdened my  conscience,  father,  so  far  as  in  me  lieth,  may  I 
hope  for  the  church's  consolation,  with  its  absolution  ?" 

"  Canst  thou  think  of  naught  else,  son,  that  should  not  lie 
hid  from  before  the  keeper  of  all  consciences !" 


202  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

"  My  sins  are  many,  holy  prior,  and  cannot  be  too  often  o^ 
too  keenly  rebuked  ;  but  I  do  tliink  that  they  may  be  fairly 
included  in  the  general  heads  that  I  have  endeavored  to  recal." 

"Hast  thou  nothing  to  charge  thyself  with,  in  connection 
with  that  sex  that  the  devil  as  often  useth  as  his  tempters  to 
evil,  as  the  angels  would  fain  employ  them  as  the  ministers  of 
grace?" 

"  I  have  erred  as  a  man,  father ;  but  do  not  my  confessions 
already  meet  those  sins  V 

"  Hast  thou  bethought  thee  of  Dona  Beatriz  Enriquez  ?  of 
thy  son  Fernando,  who  tarrieth,  at  this  moment,  in  our  con- 
vent of  la  Rabida  V] 

Columbus  bowed  his  head  in  submission,  and  the  heavy  sigh, 
amounting  almost  to  a  groan,  that  broke  out  of  his  bosom,  be- 
trayed the  weight  of  his  momentary  contrition. 

"  Thou  say'st  true,  father ;  that  is  an  offence  which  should 
never  be  forgotten,  though  so  often  shrived  since  its  commis- 
sion. Heap  on  me  the  penance  that  I  feel  is  due,  and  thou 
shalt  see  how  a  Christian  can  bend  and  kiss  the  rod  that  he  is 
conscious  of  having  merited." 

"  The  spirit  thus  to  do  is  all  that  the  church  requireth  ;  and 
thou  art  now  bent  on  a  service  too  important  to  her  interests  to 
be  drawn  aside  from  thy  great  intentions,  for  any  minor  consid- 
erations. Still  may  not  a  minister  of  the  altar  overlook  the 
offence.  Thou  wilt  say  a  pater,  daily,  on  account  of  this  great 
sin,  for  the  next  twenty  days,  all  of  which  will  be  for  the  good 
of  thy  soul ;  after  which  the  church  releaseth  thee  from  this 
especial  duty,  as  thou  wilt,  then,  be  drawing  near  to  the  land  of 
Cathay,  and  may  have  occasion  for  ail  thy  thoughts  and  effort? 
to  effect  thy  object." 

The  worthy  prior  then  proceeded  to  prescribe  several  light 
penances,  most  of  which  were  confined  to  moderate  increases 
of  the  daily  duties  of  religion  ;  after  which  he  shrived  the  navi- 
gator. The  turn  of  Luis  came  next,  and  more  than  once  the 
prior  smiled  involuntarily,  as  he  listened  to  this  hot-blooded 
and  impetuous  youth,  whose  language  irresistibly  carried  back 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  208 

his  thoughts  to  the  more  meek,  natural,  and  the  more  gentle 
admissions  of  the  pure-minded  Mercedes.  The  penance  pre- 
scribed to  Luis  was  not  entirely  free  from  severity,  though,  on 
the  whole,  the  young  man,  who  was  not  much  addicted  to  the 
duties  of  the  confessional,  fancied  himself  well  quit  of  the 
affair,  considering  the  length  of  the  account  he  was  obliged  to 
render,  and  the  weight  of  the  balance  against  him. 

These  duties  performed  in  the  persons  of  the  two  principal 
adventurers,  Martin  Alonzo  Pinzon  and  the  ruder  mariners  of 
the  expedition  appeared  before  different  priests  and  gave  in  the 
usual  reckoning  of  their  sins.  After  this  came  a  scene  that  was 
strictly  characteristic  of  the  age,  and  which  would  be  impressive 
and  proper,  in  all  times  and  seasons,  for  men  about  to  embark 
in  an  undertaking  of  a  result  so  questionable. 

High  mass  was  said  in  the  chapel  of  the  convent,  and  Colum- 
bus received  the  consecrated  bread  from  the  hands  of  Fray  Juan 
Perez,  in  humble  reliance  on  the  all-seeing  providence  of  God, 
and  with  a  devout  dependence  on  his  fostering  protection.  All 
who  were  about  to  embark  with  the  admiral  imitated  his  exam- 
ple, communing  in  his  company ;  for  that  was  a  period  when 
the  wire-drawn  conclusions  of  man  had  not  yet  begun  so  far  to 
supplant  the  faith  and  practices  of  the  earlier  church  as  to  con- 
sider its  rites  as  the  end  of  religion,  but  he  was  still  content  to 
regard  them  as  its  means.  Many  a  rude  sailor,  whose  ordinary 
life  might  not  have  been  either  saintly  or  even  free  from  severe 
censure,  knelt  that  day  at  the  altar,  in  devout  dependence  on 
God,  with  feelings,  for  the  moment,  that  at  least  placed  him  on 
the  highway  to  grace ;  and  it  would  be  presumptuous  to  suppose 
that  the  omniscient  Being  to  whom  his  offerings  were  made, 
did  not  regard  his  ignorance  with  commiseration,  and  even 
look  upon  his  superstition  with  pity.  We  scoff  at  the  prayers 
of  those  who  are  in  danger,  without  reflecting  that  they  are  a 
homage  to  the  power  of  God,  and  are  apt  to  fancy  that  these 
passages  in  devotion  are  mere  mockery,  because  the  daily  mind 
and  the  ordinary  life  are  not  always  elevated  to  the  same  stand- 
ard of  godliness  and  purity.     It  would  be  more  humble  to  re- 


204  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

member  the  general  infirmities  of  the  race ;  to  recollect,  that 
as  none  are  perfect,  the  question, is  reduced  to  one  of  degree  ; 
and  to  bear  in  mind,  that  the  Being  who  reads  the  heart,  may 
accept  of  any  devout  petitions,  even  though  they  come  from 
those  who  are  not  disposed  habitually  to  walk  in  his  laws. 
These  passing  but  pious  emotions  are  the  workings  of  the 
Spirit,  since  good  can  come  from  no  other  source  ;  and  it  is  as 
unreasonable  as  it  is  irreverent  to  imagine  that  the  Deity  will 
disregard,  altogether,  the  effects  of  his  own  grace,  however 
humble. 

Whatever  may  have  been  the  general  disposition  of  most  of 
the  communicants  on  this  occasion,  there  is  little  doubt  that 
there  knelt  at  the  altar  of  la  Kabida,  that  day,  one  in  the  per- 
son of  the  great  navigator  himself,  who,  as  far  as  the  eye  could 
perceive,  lived  habitually  in  profound  deference  to  the  dogmas 
of  religion,  and  who  paid  an  undeviating  respect  to  all  its  rites. 
Columbus  was  not  strictly  a  devotee  ;  but  a  quiet,  deeply  seated 
enthusiasm,  which  had  taken  the  direction  of  Christianity, 
pervaded  his  moral  system,  and  at  all  times  disposed  him  to 
look  up  to  the  protecting  hand  of  the  Deity  and  to  expect  its 
aid.  The  high  aims  that  he  entertained  for  the  future  have 
already  been  mentioned,  and  there  is  little  doubt  of  his  having 
persuaded  himself  that  he  had  been  set  apart  by  Providence  as 
the  instrument  it  designed  to  employ  in  making  the  great  dis- 
covery on  which  his  mind  was  so  intently  engaged,  as  well  as 
in  accomplishing  other  and  ulterior  purposes.  If,  indeed,  an 
overruling  Power  directs  all  the  events  of  this  world,  who  will 
presume  to  say  that  this  conviction  of  Columbus  was  erroneous, 
now  that  it  has  been  justified  by  the  result  ?  That  he  felt  this 
sentiment  sustaining  his  courage  and  constantly  urging  him 
onward,  is  so  much  additional  evidence  in  favor  of  his  impres- 
sion, since,  under  such  circumstances,  nothing  is  more  probable 
than  that  an  earnest  belief  in  his  destiny  would  be  one  of  the 
means  most  likely  to  be  employed  by  a  supernatural  power  in 
inducing  its  human  agent  to  accomplish  the  work  for  which  he 
had  actually  been  selected. 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  205 

Let  this  be  as  it  might,  there  is  no  doubt  that  Colon  observed 
the  rites  of  the  church,  on  the  occasion  named,  with  a  most 
devout  reliance  on  the  truth  of  his  mission,  and  with  the  bright- 
est hopes  as  to  its  successful  termination.  Not  so,  however, 
with  all  of  his  intended  followers.  Their  minds  had  wavered, 
from  time  to  time,  as  the  preparations  advanced ;  and  the  last 
month  had  seen  them  eager  to  depart,  and  dejected  with  mis- 
givings and  doubts.  Although  there  were  days  of  hope  and 
brightness,  despondency  perhaps  prevailed,  and  this  so  much 
the  more  because  the  apprehensions  of  mothers,  wives,  and  of 
those  who  felt  an  equally  tender  interest  in  the  mariners,  though 
less  inclined  to  avow  it  openly,  were  thrown  into  the  scale  by 
the  side  of  their  own  distrust.  Gold,  unquestionably,  was  the 
great  aim  of  their  wishes,  and  there  were  moments  when  visions 
of  inexhaustible  mines  and  of  oriental  treasures  floated  before 
their  imaginations ;  at  which  times  none  could  be  more  eager 
to  engage  in  the  mysterious  undertaking,  or  more  ready  to  risk 
their  lives  and  hopes  on  its  success.  But  these  were  fleeting 
impressions,  and,  as  has  just  been  said,  despondency  was  the 
prevalent  feeling  among  those  who  were  about  to  embark.  It 
heightened  the  devotion  of  the  communicants,  and  threw  a 
gloom  over  the  chastened  sobriety  of  the  altar,  that  weighed 
heavily  on  the  hearts  of  most  assembled  there. 

"  Our  people  seem  none  of  the  most  cheerful,  Senor  Almi- 
rante,"  said  Luis,  as  they  left  the  convent-chapel  in  company  ; 
*  and,  if  truth  must  be  spoken,  one  could  wish  to  set  forth  on 
an  expedition  of  this  magnitude,  better  sustained  by  merry 
hearts  and  smiling  countenances." 

"Dost  thou  imagine,  young  count,  that  he  hath  the  firmest 
mind  who  weareth  the  most  smiling  visage,  or  that  the  heart 
is  weak  because  the  countenance  is  sobered  ?  These  honest 
mariners  bethink  them  of  their  sins,  and  no  doubt  are  desirous 
that  so  holy  an  enterprise  be  not  tainted  by  the  corruption  of 
their  own  hearts,  but  rather  purified  and  rendered  fitting,  by 
their  longings  to  obey  the  will  of  God.  I  trust,  Luis" — inter- 
course had  given  Columbus  a  sort  of  paternal  interest  in  the 


206  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

welfare  of  tlie  young  grandee,  that  lessened  the  distance  made 
by  rank  between  them — "  I  trust,  Luis,  thou  art  not,  altogether, 
without  these  pious  longings  in  thine  own  person." 

"By  San  Pedro,  my  new  patron  !  Senor  Almirante,  I  think 
more  of  Mercedes  de  Valverde,  than  of  aught  else,  in  this  great 
affair.  She  is  my  polar  star,  my  religion,  my  Cathay.  Go  on, 
in  Heaven's  name,  and  discover  what  thou  wilt,  whether  it  be 
Cipango  or  the  furthest  Indies  ;  beard  the  great  Khan  on  his 
throne,  and  I  will  follow  in  thy  train,  with  a  poor  lance  and  an 
indifferent  sword,  swearing  that  the  maid  of  Castile  hath  no 
equal,  and  ransacking  the  east,  merely  to  prove  in  the  face  of 
the  universe  that  she  is  peerless,  let  her  rivals  come  from  what 
part  of  the  earth  they  may." 

Although  Columbus  permitted  his  grave  countenance  slightly 
to  relax  at  this  rhapsody,  he  did  not  the  less  deem  it  prudent  to 
rebuke  the  spirit  in  which  it  was  uttered. 

"I  grieve,  my  young  friend,"  he  said,  "to  find  that  thou 
hast  not  the  feelings  proper  for  one  who  is  engaged,  as  it  might 
be,  in  a  work  of  Heaven's  own  ordering.  Canst  thou  not  fore- 
see the  long  train  of  mighty  and  wonderful  events  that  are 
likely  to  follow  from  this  voyage — the  spread  of  religion, 
through  the  holy  church  ;  the  conquest  of  distant  empires, 
with  their  submission  to  the  sway  of  Castile  ;  the  settling  of 
disputed  points  in  science  and  philosophy,  and  the  attainment 
of  inexhaustible  wealth  ;  with  the  last  and  most  honorable  con- 
sequence of  all,  the  recovery  of  the  sepulchre  of  the  Son  of 
God,  from  the  hands  of  the  Infidels  !" 

"  No  doubt,  Senor  Colon — no  doubt,  I  see  them  all,  but  I 
see  the  Dona  Mercedes  at  their  end.  What  care  I  for  gold, 
who  already  possess — or  shall  so  soon  possess — more  than  I 
need  ?  what  is  the  extension  of  the  sway  of  Castile  to  me, 
who  can  never  be  its  king  ?  and  as  for  the  Holy  Sepulchre, 
give  me  but  Mercedes,  and,  like  my  ancestors  that  are  gone,  I 
am  ready  to  break  a  lance  with  the  stoutest  Infidel  who  ever 
wore  a  turban,  be  it  in  that,  or  in  any  other  quarrel.  In  short, 
Senor  Almirante,  lead  on  ;  and  though  we  go  forth  with  differ- 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  207 

cnt  objects  and  different  hopes,  doubt  not  that  they  will  lead  us 
to  the  same  goal.  I  feel  that  you  ought  to  be  supported  in  this 
great  and  noble  design,  and  it  matters  not  what  may  bring  me 
in  your  train." 

"  Thou  art  a  mad-brained  youth,  Luis,  and  must  be  humored, 
if  it  were  only  for  the  sake  of  the  sweet  and  pious  young 
maiden  who  seemeth  to  engross  all  thy  thoughts." 

"  You  have  seen  her,  Senor,  and  can  say  whether  she  be  not 
worthy  to  occupy  the  minds  of  all  the  youth  of  Spain  ?" 

"  She  is  fair,  and  virtuous,  and  noble,  and  a  zealous  friend 
of  the  voyage.  These  are  all  rare  merits,  and  thou  may'st  be 
pardoned  for  thy  enthusiasm  in  her  behalf.  But  forget  not, 
that,  to  win  her,  thou  must  first  win  a  sight  of  Cathay.' ' 

"In  the  reality,  you  must  mean,  Senor  Almirante  ;  for,  with 
the  mind's  eye,  I  see  it  keenly,  constantly,  and  see  little  else, 
with  Mercedes  standing  on  its  shores,  smiling  a  welcome, 
and,  by  St.  Paul !  sometimes  beckoning  me  on,  with  that  smile 
that  fires  the  soul  with  its  witchery,  even  while  it  subdues 
the  temper  with  its  modesty.  The  blessed  Maria  send  us  a 
wind,  right  speedily,  that  we  may  quit  this  irksome  river  and 
wrearying  convent  !" 

Columbus  made  no  answer ;  for,  while  he  had  all  considera- 
tion for  a  lover's  impatience,  his  thoughts  turned  to  subjects  too 
grave,  to  be  long  amused  even  by  a  lover's  follies. 


208  MERCEDES      OF      CAST  ILK. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

44  ^Nor  Zayda  weeps  him  only, 
But  all  that  dwell  between 
The  great  Alhambra's  palace  walls 
And  springs  of  Albaiein." 

Bryant's  Translations 

The  instant  of  departure  at  length  arrived.  The  moment 
so  long  desired  by  the  Genoese  was  at  hand,  and  years  of 
poverty,  neglect,  and  of  procrastination,  were  all  forgotten  at 
that  blessed  hour ;  or,  if  they  returned  in  any  manner  to  the 
constant  memory,  it  was  no  longer  with  the  bitterness  of  hope 
deferred.  The  navigator,  at  last,  saw  himself  in  the  possession 
of  the  means  of  achieving  the  first  great  object  for  which  he 
had  lived  the  last  fifteen  years,  with  the  hope,  in  perspective, 
of  making  the  success  of  his  present  adventure  the  stepping- 
stone  toward  effecting  the  conquest  of  the  Holy  Sepulchre. 
"While  those  around  him  were  looking  with  astonishment  at  the 
limited  means  with  which  ends  so  great  were  to  be  attained, 
or  were  struck  aghast  at  the  apparent  temerity  of  an  undertak- 
ing that  seemed  to  defy  the  laws  of  nature,  and  to  set  at  naught 
the  rules  of  Providence,  he  had  grown  more  tranquil  as  the 
time  for  sailing  drew  nearer,  and  his  mind  was  oppressed  mere- 
ly by  a  feeling  of  intense,  but  of  sobered,  delight.  Fray  Juan 
Perez  whispered  to  Luis,  that  he  could  best  liken  the  joy  of 
the  admiral  to  the  chastened  rapture  of  a  Christian  who  was 
about  to  quit  a  world  of  woe,  to  enter  on  the  untasted,  but  cer- 
tain, fruition  of  blessed  immortality. 

This,  however,  was  far  from  being  the  state  of  mind  of  all  in 
Palos.  The  embarkation  took  place  in  the  course  of  the  after- 
noon of  the  2d  of  August,  it  being  the  intention  of  the  pilots  to 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  209 

carry  the  vessels  that  day  to  a  point  off  the  town  of  Huelvas, 
where  the  position  was  more  favorable  to  making  sail  than 
when  anchored  in  front  of  Palos.  The  distance  was  trifling, 
but  it  was  the  commencement  of  the  voyage,  and,  to  many,  it 
was  like  snapping  the  cords  of  life,  to  make  even  this  brief 
movement.  Columbus,  himself,  was  one  of  the  last  to  embark, 
having  a  letter  to  send  to  the  court,  and  other  important  duties 
to  discharge.  At  length  he  quitted  the  convent,  and,  accom- 
panied by  Luis  and  the  prior,  he,  too,  took  his  way  to  the 
beach.  The  short  journey  was  silent,  for  each  of  the  party  was 
deeply  plunged  in  meditation.  Never  before  this  hour,  did  the 
enterprise  seem  so  perilous  and  uncertain  to  the  excellent 
Franciscan.  Columbus  was  carefully  recalling  the  details  of  his 
preparations,  while  Luis  was  thinking  of  the  maid  of  Castile,  as 
he  was  wont  to  term  Mercedes,  and  of  the  many  weary  days 
that  must  elapse  before  he  could  hope  to  see  her  again. 

The  party  stopped  on  the  shore,  in  waiting  for  a  boat  to  ar- 
rive, at  a  place  where  they  were  removed  from  any  houses. 
There  Fray  Juan  Perez  took  his  leave  of  the  two  adventurers. 
The  long  silence  that  all  three  had  maintained,  was  more  im- 
pressive than  any  ordinary  discourse  could  have  been ;  but  it 
was  now  necessary  to  break  it.  The  prior  was  deeply  affected, 
and  it  was  some  little  time  before  he  could  even  trust  his  voice 
to  speak. 

"  Senor  Christoval,"  he  at  length  commenced,  "it  is  now 
many  years  since  thou  first  appeared  at  the  gate  of  Santa  Maria 
de  Rabida — years  of  friendship  and  pleasure  have  they  proved 
to  me." 

"It  is  full  seven,  Fray  Juan  Perez,"  returned  Columbus — 
"  seven  weary  years  have  they  proved  to  me,  as  a  solicitor  for 
employment — years  of  satisfaction,  father,  in  all  that  concern- 
eth  thee.  Think  not  that  I  can  ever  forget  the  hour,  when, 
leading  Diego,  houseless,  impoverished,  wanderers,  journeying 
on  foot,  I  stopped  to  tax  the  convent's  charity  for  refreshment  ! 
The  future  is  in  the  hands  of  God,  but  the  past  is  imprinted 
here" — laying  his  hand  on  his  heart — "  and  can  never  be  for- 


210  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

gotten.  Thou  hast  been  my  constant  friend,  holy  prior,  and 
that,  too,  when  it  was  no  credit  to  favor  the  nameless  Genoese. 
Should  my  estimation  ever  change  in  men's  opinions" — 

"  Nay,  Senor  Almirante,  it  hath  changed  already,"  eagerly 
interrupted  the  prior.  "  Hast  thou  not  the  commission  of  the 
queen — the  support  of  Don  Fernando — the  presence  of  this 
young  noble,  though  still  as  an  incognito — the  wishes  of  all  the 
learned  ?  Dost  thou  not  go  forth,  on  this  great  voyage,  carry- 
ing with  thee  more  of  our  hopes  than  of  our  fears  f ' 

"  So  far  as  thou  art  concerned,  dear  Juan  Perez,  this  may 
be  so.  I  feel  that  I  have  all  thy  best  wishes  for  success ;  I 
know  that  I  shall  have  thy  prayers.  Few  in  Spain,  notwith- 
standing, will  think  of  Colon  with  respect,  or  hope,  while  we 
are  wandering  on  the  great  desert  of  the  ocean,  beyond  a  very 
narrow  circle.  I  fear  me,  that,  even  at  this  moment,  when  the 
means  of  learning  the  truth  of  our  theories  is  in  actual  posses- 
sion— when  we  stand,  as  it  might  be,  on  the  very  threshold  of 
the  great  portal  which  opens  upon  the  Indies — that  few  believe 
in  our  chances  of  success." 

"  Thou  hast  Dona  Isabella  of  thy  side,  Senor  !" 

"  And  Dona  Mercedes !"  put  in  Luis ;  "  not  to  speak  of  my 
decided  and  true-hearted  aunt  1" 

"I  ask  but  a  few  brief  months,  Seiiores,"  returned  Columbus, 
his  face  turned  to  heaven  with  uncovered  head,  his  gray  hair 
floating  in  the  wind,  and  his  eye  kindling  with  the  light  of 
enthusiasm — "a  few  short  months,  that  will  pass  away  untold 
with  the  happy — that  even  the  miserable  may  find  supportable, 
but  which  to  us  will  seem  ages,  must  now  dispose  of  this  ques- 
tion. Prior,  I  have  often  quitted  the  shore  feeling  that  I  car- 
ried my  life  in  my  hand,  conscious  of  all  the  dangers  of  the 
ocean,  and  as  much  expecting  death  as  a  happy  return ;  but 
at  this  glorious  moment  no  doubts  beset  me  ;  as  for  life,  I  know 
it  is  in  the  keeping  of  God's  care  ;  as  for  success,  I  feel  it  is  in 
God's  wisdom  !" 

"  These  are  comfortable  sentiments,  at  so  serious  a  moment, 
Sciior,  and  I  devoutly  hope  the  end  will  justify  them.     But 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  2  i  1 

yonder  is  thy  boat,  and  we  must  now  part.  Senor,  my  son, 
thou  knowest  that  my  spirit  will  bo  with  thee  in  this  mighty 
undertaking." 

"Holy  prior,  remember  me  in  thy  prayers.  I  am  weak,  and 
have  need  of  this  support.  I  trust  much  to  the  efficacy  of  thy 
intercessions,  aided  by  those  of  thy  pious  brotherhood.  Thou 
wilt  bestow  on  us  a  few  masses  ?" 

"  Doubt  us  not,  my  friend  ;  all  that  la  Rabida  can  do  with 
the  blessed  Virgin,  or  the  saints,  shall  be  exercised,  without 
ceasing,  in  thy  behalf.  It  is  not  given  to  man  to  foresee  the 
events  that  are  controlled  by  Providence  ;  and,  though  we 
deem  this  enterprise  of  thine  so  certain,  and  so  reasonable,  it 
may  nevertheless  fail." 

"It  may  not  fail,  father;  God  hath  thus  far  directed  it,  and 
he  will  not  permit  it  to  fail." 

"  We  know  not,  Senor  Colon  ;  our  wisdom  is  but  as  a  grain 
of  mustard  seed  among  the  sands  of  this  shore,  as  compared 
with  his  inscrutable  designs.  I  was  about  to  say,  as  it  is  possi- 
ble thou  may'st  return  a  disappointed,  a  defeated  man,  that 
thou  wilt  still  find  the  gate  of  Santa  Maria  open  to  thee  ;  since, 
in  our  eyes,  it  is  as  meritorious  to  attempt  nobly,  as  it  is  often, 
in  the  eyes  of  others,  to  achieve  successfully." 

"  I  understand  thee,  holy  prior ;  and  the  cup  and  the 
morsel  bestowed  on  the  young  Diego,  were  not  more  grateful 
than  this  proof  of  thy  friendship  !  I  would  not  depart  without 
thy  blessing." 

"Kneel,  then,  Senor ;  for,  in  this  act  it  will  not  be  Juan  Perez 
de  Marchena  that  will  speak,  and  pronounce,  but  the  minister 
of  God  and  the  church.  Even  these  sands  will  be  no  unworthy 
spot  to  receive  such  an  advantage." 

The  eyes  of  both  Columbus  and  the  prior  were  suffused  with 
tears,  for  at  that  moment  the  heart  of  each  was  touched  with 
the  emotions  natural  to  a  moment  so  solemn.  The  first  loved 
the  last,  because  he  had  proved  himself  a  friend  when  friends 
were  few  and  timid ;  and  the  worthy  monk  had  some  such 
attachment  for  the  great  navigator  as  men  are  apt  to  feel  for 


212  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

those  they  have  cherished.  Each,  also,  respected  and  appre- 
ciated the  other's  motives,  and  there  was  a  bond  of  union  in 
their  common  reverence  for  the  Christian  religion.  Columbus 
kneeled  on  the  sands,  and  received  the  benediction  of  his 
friend,  with  the  meek  submission  of  faith,  and  with  some  such 
feelings  of  reverence  as  those  with  which  a  pious  son  would 
have  listened  to  a  blessing  pronounced  by  a  natural  father. 

"  And  thou,  young  lord,"  resumed  Fray  Juan  Perez,  with  a 
husky  voice — "  thou,  too,  wilt  be  none  the  worse  for  the  prayers 
of  an  aged  churchman." 

Like  most  of  that  age,  Luis,  in  the  midst  of  his  impetuous 
feelings,  and  youthful  propensities,  had  enshrined  in  his  heart 
an  image  of  the  Son  of  God,  and  entertained  an  habitual  re- 
spect for  holy  things.  He  knelt  without  hesitation,  and  listen- 
ed to  the  trembling  words  of  the  priest  with  thankfulness  and 
respect. 

"  Adieu,  holy  prior,"  said  Columbus,  squeezing  his  friend's 
hand.  "  Thou  hast  befriended  me  when  others  held  aloof ; 
but  I  trust  in  God  that  the  day  is  not  now  distant,  when  those 
who  have  ever  shown  confidence  in  my  predictions  will  cease 
to  feel  uneasiness  at  the  mention  of  my  name.  Forget  us  in 
all  things  but  thy  prayers,  for  a  few  short  months,  and  then 
expect  tidings  that,  of  a  verity,  shall  exalt  Castile  to  a  point  of 
renown  which  will  render  this  Conquest  of  Granada  but  an  in- 
cident of  passing  interest  amid  the  glory  of  the  reign  of  Ferdi- 
nand and  Isabella !" 

This  was  not  said  boastfully,  but  with  the  quiet  earnestness 
of  one  who  saw  a  truth  that  was  concealed  from  most  eyes, 
and  this  with  an  intensity  so  great,  that  the  effect  on  his  moral 
vision  produced  a  confidence  equalling  that  which  is  the  fruit 
of  the  evidence  of  the  senses  in  ordinary  men.  The  prior  un- 
derstood him,  and  the  assurance  thus  given  cheered  the  mind 
of  the  worthy  Franciscan  long  after  the  departure  of  his  friend. 
They  embraced  and  separated. 

By  this  time  the  boat  of  Columbus  had  reached  the  shore. 
As  the  navigator  moved  slowly  toward  it,  a  youthful  female 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  213 

rushed  wildly  past  him  and  Luis,  and,  regardless  of  their  pres- 
ence, she  threw  her  arms  around  a  young  mariner  who  had 
quitted  the  boat  to  meet  her,  and  sobbed  for  a  minute  on  his 
bosom,  in  uncontrollable  agony,  or  as  women  weep  in  the  first 
outbreak  of  their  emotions. 

"  Come,  then,  Pepe,"  the  young  wife  at  length  said,  hurried- 
ly, and  with  low  earnestness,  as  one  speaks  who  would  fain  per- 
suade herself  that  denial  was  impossible — "  come,  Pepe  ;  thy 
boy  hath  wept  for  thee,  and  thou  hast  pushed  this  matter, 
already,  much  too  far." 

"  Nay,  Monica,"  returned  the  husband,  glancing  his  eye  at 
Columbus,  who  was  already  near  enough  to  hear  his  words — 
"thou  knowest  it  is  by  no  wish  of  mine  that  I  am  to  sail  on 
this  unknown  voyage.  Gladly  would  I  abandon  it,  but  the  or- 
ders of  the  queen  are  too  strong  for  a  poor  mariner  like  me, 
and  they  must  be  obeyed." 

"This  is  foolish,  Pepe,"  returned  the  woman,  pulling  at  her 
husband's  doublet  to  drag  him  from  the  water-side — "  I  have 
had  enough  of  this ;  sufficient  to  break  my  heart.  Come,  then, 
and  look  again  upon  thy  boy." 

"Thou  dost  not  see  that  the  admiral  is  near,  Monica,  and  we 
are  showing  him  disrespect." 

The  habitual  deference  that  was  paid  by  the  low  to  the  high, 
induced  the  woman,  for  a  moment,  to  pause.  She  looked  im- 
ploringly at  Columbus,  her  fine  dark  eyes  became  eloquent  with 
the  feelings  of  a  wife  and  mother,  and  then  she  addressed  the 
great  navigator,  himself. 

"Seiior,"  she  said,  eagerly,  "you  can  have  no  further  need 
of  Pepe.  He  hath  helped  to  carry  your  vessels  to  Huelva,  and 
now  his  wife  and  boy  call  for  him  at  home." 

Columbus  was  touched  with  the  manner  of  the  woman, 
which  was  not  entirely  without  a  show  of  that  wavering  of  rea- 
son which  is  apt  to  accompany  excessive  grief,  and  he  answered 
her  less  strongly  than,  at  a  moment  so  critical,  he  might  other- 
wise have  been  disposed  to  do  to  one  who  was  inciting  to  diso- 
bedience. 


214  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

"  Thy  husband  is  honored  in  being  chosen  to  be  rny  compan- 
ion in  the  great  voyage,"  he  said.  "  Instead  of  bewailing  his 
fate,  thou  wouldst  act  more  like  a  brave  mariner's  wife,  in  ex- 
ulting in  his  good  fortune." 

"  Believe  him  not,  Pepe.  He  speaketh  under  the  Evil  One's 
advice  to  tempt  thee  to  destruction.  He  hath  talked  blasphe- 
my, and  belied  the  word  of  God,  by  saying  that  the  world  is 
round,  and  that  one  may  sail  east  by  steering  west,  that  he  might 
ruin  thee  and  others,  by  tempting  ye  all  to  follow  him !" 

"  And  why  should  I  do  this,  good  woman?"  demanded  the 
admiral.  "  What  have  I  to  gain  by  the  destruction  of  thy  hus- 
band, or  by  the  destruction  of  any  of  his  comrades  f'J 

"I  know  not — I  care  not — Pepe  is  all  to  me,  and  he  shall  not 
go  with  you  on  this  mad  and  wicked  voyage.  No  good  can  come 
of  a  journey  that  is  begun  by  belying  the  truths  of  God  !1J 

"And  what  particular  evil  dost  thou  dread,  in  this,  more 
than  in  another  voyage,  that  thou  thus  hang'st  upon  thy  hus- 
band, and  usest  such  discourse  to  one  who  beareth  their  High- 
nesses' authority  for  that  he  doeth  ?  Thou  knewest  he  was  a 
mariner  when  thou  wert  wedded,  and  yet  thou  wouldst  fain  pre- 
vent him  from  serving  the  queen,  as  becometh  his  station  and 
duty." 

"He  may  go  against  the  Moor,  or  the  Portuguese,  or  the 
people  of  Inghleterra,  but  I  would  not  that  he  voyage  in  the 
service  of  the  Prince  of  Darkness.  Why  tell  us  that  the  earth 
is  round,  Senor,  when  our  eyes  show  that  it  is  flat  ?  And  if 
round,  how  can  a  vessel  that  hath  descended  the  side  of  the 
earth  for  days,  ever  return  ?  The  sea  doth  not  flow  upward, 
neither  can  a  caravel  mount  the  waterfall.  And  when  thou 
hast  wandered  about  for  months  in  the  vacant  ocean,  in  what 
manner  wilt  thou,  and  those  with  thee,  ever  discover  the  direc- 
tion that  must  be  taken  to  return  whence  ye  all  sailed  ?  Oh  ! 
Senor,  Palos  is  but  a  little  town,  and  once  lost  sight  of  in  such 
a  confusion  of  ideas,  it  will  never  be  regained." 

"  Idle  and  childish  as  this  may  seem,"  observed  Columbus, 
turning  quietly  to  Luis,  "  it  is  as  reasonable  as  much  that  I  have 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  215 

been  doomed  to  hear  from  the  learned,  during  the  last  sixteen 
years.  When  the  night  of  ignorance  obscures  the  mind,  the 
thoughts  conjure  arguments  a  thousand  times  more  vain  and 
frivolous  than  the  phenomena  of  nature  that  it  fancies  so  unrea- 
sonable. I  will  try  the  effect  of  religion  on  this  woman,  con- 
's erting  her  present  feelings  on  that  head,  from  an  enemy  into 
an  ally.  Monica,"  calling  her  kindly  and  familiarly  by  name, 
"  art  thou  a  Christian  ?" 

"  Blessed  Maria !  Seiior  Almirante,  what  else  should  I  be? 
Dost  think  Pepe  would  have  married  a  Moorish  girl  ?" 

M  Listen,  then,  to  me,  and  learn  how  unlike  a  believer  thou 
conductest.  The  Moor  is  not  the  only  infidel,  but  this  earth 
groaneth  with  the  burden  of  their  numbers,  and  of  their  sins. 
The  sands  on  this  shore  are  not  as  numerous  as  the  unbelievers 
in  the  single  kingdom  of  Cathay  ;  for,  as  yet,  God  hath  allotted 
but  a  small  portion  of  the  earth  to  those  who  have  faith  in  the 
mediation  of  his  Son.  Even  the  sepulchre  of  Christ  is  yet  re- 
tained by  infidel  hands." 

"This  have  I  heard,  Seiior;  and  'tis  a  thousand  pities  the 
faith  is  so  weak  in  those  who  have  vowed  to  obey  the  law,  that 
so  crying  an  evil  hath  never  been  cured  !" 

"  Hast  thou  not  been  told  that  such  is  to  be  the  fate  of  the 
world,  for  a  time,  but  that  light  will  dawn  when  the  word  shall 
pass,  like  the  sound  of  trumpets,  into  the  ears  of  infidels,  and 
when  the  earth,  itself,  shall  be  but  one  vast  temple,  filled  with 
the  praises  of  God,  the  love  of  his  name,  and  obedience  to  hi3 
will?" 

"  Senor,  the  good  fathers  of  la  Eabida,  and  our  own  parish 
priests,  often  comfort  us  with  these  hopes." 

"  And  hast  thou  seen  naught  of  late  to  encourage  that  hope 
— to  cause  thee  to  think  that  God  is  mindful  of  his  people,  and 
that  new  light  is  beginning  to  burst  on  the  darkness  of  Spain  ?" 

"Pepe,  his  excellency  must  mean  the  late  miracle  at  the 
convent,  where  they  say  that  real  tears  were  seen  to  fall  from 
the  eyes  of  the  image  of  the  holy  Maria,  as  she  gazed  at  the 
child  that  lay  on  her  bosom." 


216  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

"I  mean  not  that,"  interrupted  Columbus,  a  little  sternly, 
though  he  crossed  himself,  even  while  he  betrayed  dissatisfac- 
tion at  the  allusion  to  a  miracle  that  was  much  too  vulgar  for 
his  manly  understanding — "  I  mean  no  such  questionable  won- 
der, which  it  is  permitted  us  to  believe,  or  not,  as  it  may  be 
supported  by  the  church's  authority.  Can  thy  faith  and  zeal 
point  to  no  success  of  the  two  sovereigns,  in  which  the  power 
of  God,  as  exercised  to  the  advancement  of  the  faith,  hath  been 
made  signally  apparent  to  believers  ?" 

"He  meaneth  the  expulsion  of  the  Moor,  Pepe  !"  the  woman 
exclaimed,  glancing  quickly  toward  her  husband,  with  a  look 
of  pleasure,  "that  hath  happened  of  late,  they  say,  by  conquer- 
ing the  city  of  Granada ;  into  which  place,  they  tell  me,  Dona 
Isabella  hath  marched  in  triumph." 

"  In  that  conquest,  thou  seest  the  commencement  of  the 
great  acts  of  our  time.  Granada  hath  now  its  churches  ;  and 
the  distant  land  of  Cathay  will  shortly  follow  her  example. 
These  are  the  doings  of  the  Lord,  foolish  woman  ;  and  in  hold- 
ing back  thy  husband  from  this  great  undertaking,  thou  hin- 
derest  him  from  purchasing  a  signal  reward  in  heaven,  and  may 
unwittingly  be  the  instrument  of  casting  a  curse,  instead  of  a 
blessing,  on  that  very  boy,  whose  image  now  filleth  thy  thoughts 
more  than  that  of  his  Maker  and  Redeemer." 

The  woman  appeared  bewildered,  first  looking  at  the  admiral, 
and  then  at  her  husband,  after  which  she  bowed  her  head  low, 
and  devoutly  crossed  herself.  Recovering  from  this  self-abase- 
ment, she  again  turned  toward  Columbus,  demanding  earnestly — 

"  And  you,  Sefior — do  you  sail  with  the  wish  and  hope  of 
serving  God  ?" 

"  Such  is  my  principal  aim,  good  woman.  I  call  on  Heaven 
itself,  to  witness  the  truth  of  what  I  say.  May  my  voyage 
prosper,  only,  as  I  tell  thee  naught  but  truth !" 

"And  you,  too,  Seiior?"  turning  quickly  to  Luis  de  Bobadilla; 
"  is  it  to  serve  God  that  you  also  go  on  this  unusual  voyage  ?" 

"  If  not  at  the  orders  of  God,  himself,  my  good  woman,  it  is, 
at  least,  at  the  bidding  of  an  angel !" 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  2l7 

"  Dost  tliou  think  it  is  so,  Pepe  ?     Have  we  been  thus  de- 
,.  ceived,  and  has  so  much  evil  been  said  of  the  admiral  and  his 
motives,  wrongfully  J" 

"  What  hath  been  said  ?"  quietly  demanded  Columbup 
"  Speak  freely ;  thou  hast  naught  to  dread  from  my  displea- 
sure." 

"Senor,  you  have  your  enemies,  as  well  as  another,  and 
the  wives,  and  mothers,  and  the  betrothed  of  Palos,  have  not 
been  slow  to  give  vent  to  their  feelings.  In  the  first  place,  they 
say  that  you  are  poor." 

"  That  is  so  true  and  manifest,  good  woman,  it  would  be  idle 
to  deny  it.     Is  poverty  a  crime  at  Palos  ?" 

"The  poor  are  little  respected,  Senor,  in  all  this  region.  I 
know  not  why,  for  to  me  we  seem  to  be  as  the  rest,  but  few  re- 
spect us.  Then  they  say,  Senor,  that  you  are  not  a  Castilian, 
but  a  Genoese.** 

* '  This  is  also  true  ;  is  that,  too,  a  crime  among  the  mariners 
of  Moguer,  who  ought  to  prize  a  people  as  much  renowned  for 
their  deeds  on  the  sea,  as  those  of  the  superb  republic  ?" 

"  I  know  not,  Senor  ;  but  many  hold  it  to  be  a  disadvantage 
not  to  belong  to  Spain,  and  particularly  to  Castile,  which  is  the 
country  of  Dona  Isabella,  herself ;  and  how  can  it  be  as  honor- 
able to  be  a  Genoese  as  to  be  a  Spaniard  ?  I  should  like  it 
better  were  Pepe  to  sail  with  one  who  is  a  Spaniard,  and  that, 
too,  of  Palos  or  Moguer." 

"  Thy  argument  is  ingenious,  if  not  conclusive,"  returned 
Columbus,  smiling,  the  only  outward  exhibition  of  feeling  he 
betrayed — "but  cannot  one  who  is  both  poor  and  a  Genoese 
serve  God  V 

"  No  doubt,  Senor ;  and  I  think  better  of  this  voyage  since 
I  know  your  motive,  and  since  I  have  seen  you  and  spoken 
with  you.  Still,  it  is  a  great  sacrifice  for  a  young  wife  to  let 
her  husband  sail  on  an  expedition  so  distrusted,  and  he  the 
father  of  her  only  boy  !" 

"  Here  is  a  young  noble,  an  only  son,  a  lover,  and  that,  too, 
of  impetuous  feelings,  an  only  child  withal,  rich,  honored,  and 


2  IS  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

able  to  go  whither  he  will,  wTho  not  only  embarketh  with  me, 
but  embarketh  by  the  consent — nay,  I  had  better  say,  by  the 
orders  of  his  mistress!" 

"  Is  this  so,  Senor?"  the  wife  asked,  eagerly. 

"  So  true,  my  good  woman,  that  my  greatest  hopes  depend 
on  this  voyage.  Did  I  not  tell  thee  that  I  went  at  the  bidding 
of  an  angel  V ' 

"  Ah !  these  young  lords  have  seductive  tongues !  But, 
Senor  Almirante,  since  such  is  your  quality,  they  say,  more- 
over, that  to  you  this  voyage  can  only  bring  honors  and  good, 
while  it  may  bring  misery  and  death  on  your  followers.  Poor 
and  unknown,  it  maketh  you  a  high  officer  of  the  queen  ;  and 
some  think  that  the  Venetian  galleys  will  be  none  the  more 
heavily  freighted,  should  you  need  them  on  the  high  seas." 

"  And  in  what  can  all  this  harm  thy  husband  ?  I  go  whitherso- 
ever he  goeth,  share  his  dangers,  and  expose  life  for  life  with  him. 
If  there  is  gold  gained  by  the  adventure,  he  will  not  be  forgotten ; 
and  if  heaven  is  made  any  nearer  to  us,  by  our  dangers  and  hard- 
ships, Pepe  will  not  be  a  loser.  At  the  last  great  reckoning,  wo- 
man, we  shall  not  be  asked  who  is  poor,  or  who  is  a  Genoese. " 

" This  is  true,  Senor;  and  yet  it  is  hard  for  a  young  wife  to 
part  from  her  husband.  Dost  thou  wish,  in  truth,  to  sail  with 
the  admiral,  Pepe  ?" 

"  It  matters  little  with  me,  Monica ;  I  am  commanded  to 
serve  the  queen,  and  we  mariners  have  no  right  to  question  her 
authority.  Now  I  have  heard  his  excellency's  discourse,  I  think 
less  of  the  affair  than  before.' ' 

"If  God  is  really  to  be  served  in  this  voiage,"  continued  the 
woman,  with  dignity,  "thou  shouldst  not  be  backward,  more 
than  another,  my  husband.  Senor,  will  you  suffer  Pepe  to  pass 
the  night  with  his  family,  on  condition  that  he  goeth  on  board 
the  Santa  Maria  in  the  morning?'' 

"  What  certainty  have  I  that  this  condition  will  be  re- 
spected »" 

"  Senor,  we  are  both  Christians,  and  serve  the  same  God — 
have  been  redeemed  bv  the  same  Saviour." 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  219 

"  This  is  true,  and  I  will  confide  in  it,  Pepe,  thou  canst  re- 
main until  the  morning,  when  I  shall  expect  thee  at  thy  station. 
There  will  be  oarsmen  enough,  without  thee." 

The  woman  looked  her  thanks,  and  Columbus  thought  he 
read  an  assurance  of  good  faith  in  her  noble  Spanish  manner, 
and  lofty  look.  As  some  trifling  preparations  were  to  be  made 
before  the  boat  could  quit  the  shore,  the  admiral  and  Luis  paced 
the  sands  the  while,  engaged  in  deep  discourse. 

"  This  hath  been  a  specimen  of  what  I  have  had  to  over- 
come and  endure,  in  order  to  obtain  even  yonder  humble 
means  for  effecting  the  good  designs  of  Providence,"  observed 
Columbus,  mournfully,  though  he  spoke  without  acrimony. 
"It  is  a  crime  to  be  poor — to  be  a  Genoese — to  be  aught  else 
than  the  very  thing  that  one's  judges  and  masters  fancy  them- 
selves to  be  !  The  day  will  come,  Conde  de  Llera,  when  Genoa 
shall  think  herself  in  no  manner  disgraced,  in  having  given 
birth  to  Christofero  Colombo,  and  when  your  proud  Castile 
will  be  willing  to  share  with  her  in  the  dishonor !  Thou  little 
know'st,  young  lord,  how  far  thou  art  on  the  road  to  renown, 
and  toward  high  deeds,  in  having  been  born  noble,  and  the 
master  of  large  possessions.  Thou  seest  me,  here,  a  man  al- 
ready stricken  in  years,  with  a  head  whitened  by  time  and  suffer- 
ings, and  yet  am  I  only  on  the  threshold  of  the  undertaking  that 
is  to  give  my  name  a  place  among  those  of  the  men  who  have 
served  God,  and  advanced  the  welfare  of  their  fellow-creatures." 

"  Is  not  this  the  course  of  things,  Senor,  throughout  the 
earth  ?  Do  not  those  who  find  themselves  placed  beneath  the 
level  of  their  merits,  struggle  to  rise  to  the  condition  to  wrhich 
nature  intended  them  to  belong,  while  those  whom  fortune  hath 
favored  through  their  ancestors,  are  too  often  content  to  live  on 
honors  that  they  have  not  themselves  won  ?  I  see  naught  in 
this  but  the  nature  of  man,  and  the  course  of  the  world." 

"  Thou  art  right,  Luis,  but  philosophy  and  fact  are  different 
matters.  "We  may  reason  calmly  on  principles,  when  their  ap- 
plication in  practice  causeth  much  pain.  Thou  hast  a  frank 
and  manly  nature,  young  man  ;  one  that  dreadeth  neither  the 


220  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

gibe  of  the  Christian,  nor  the  lance  of  the  Moor,  and  wilt  an- 
swer to  any,  in  fearlessness  and  truth.  A  Castilian  thyself,  dost 
thou,  too,  really  think  one  of  thy  kingdom  better  than  one  of 
Genoa  ?" 

"Not  when  he  of  Genoa  is  Christoval  Colon,  Senor,  and  he 
of  Castile  is  only  Luis  de  Bobadilla,"  answered  the  young  man, 
laughing. 

"Nay,  I  will  not  be  denied — hast  thou  any  such  notion  as 
this,  which  the  wife  of  Pepe  hath  so  plainly  avowed  3" 

"What  will  you,  Senor  Christoval?  Man  is  the  same  in 
Spain,  that  he  is  among  the  Italians,  or  the  English.  Is  it  not 
his  besetting  sin  to  think  good  of  himself,  and  evil  of  his 
neighbor  V 

"  A  plain  question  that  is  loyally  put,  may  not  be  answered 
with  a  truism,  Luis." 

"  Nor  a  civil,  honest  reply  confounded  with  one  that  is  eva- 
sive. We  of  Castile  are  humble  and  most  devout  Christians, 
by  the  same  reason  that  we  think  ourselves  faultless,  and  the 
rest  of  mankind  notable  sinners.  By  San  Iago,  of  blessed  faith 
and  holy  memory  !  it  is  enough  to  make  a  people  vain,  to  have 
produced  such  a  queen  as  Dona  Isabella,  and  such  a  maiden  as 
Mercedes  de  Valverde !" 

"  This  is  double  loyalty,  for  it  is  being  true  to  the  queen  and 
to  thy  mistress.  With  this  must  I  satisfy  myself,  even  though 
it  be  no  answer.  But,  Castilian  though  I  am  not,  even  the 
Guzmans  have  not  ventured  on  the  voyage  to  Cathay,  and  the 
House  of  Trastamara  may  yet  be  glad  to  acknowledge  its  in- 
debtedness to  a  Genoese.  God  hath  no  respect  to  worldly  con- 
dition, or  worldly  boundaries,  in  choosing  his  agents,  for  most 
of  the  saints  were  despised  Hebrews,  while  Jesus,  himself,  came 
of  Nazareth.  We  shall  see,  we  shall  see,  young  lord,  what 
three  months  will  reveal  to  the  admiration  of  mankind.' ' 

"  Senor  Almirante,  I  hope  and  pray  it  may  be  the  island  of 
Cipango  and  the  realms  of  the  great  Khan ;  should  it  not  be  so, 
we  are  men  who  can  not  only  bear  our  toils,  but  who  can  bear 
our  disappointments." 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  221 

"Of  disappointments  in  this  matter,  Don  Luis,  I  look  for 
none — now  that  I  have  the  royal  faith  of  Isabella,  and  these 
good  caravels  to  back  me ;  ~the  drudge  who  saileth  from  Ma- 
deira to  Lisbon,  is  not  more  certain  of  gaining  his  port  than  I 
am  certain  of  gaining  Cathay.' ' 

"  No  doubt,  Seiior  Colon,  that  what  any  navigator  can  do, 
you  can  do  and  will  perform;  nevertheless,  disappointment 
would  seem  to  be  the  lot  of  man,  and  it  might  be  well  for  all 
of  us  to  be  prepared  to  meet  it." 

u  The  sun  that  is  just  sinking  beyond  yon  hill,  Luis,  is  not 
plainer  before  my  eyes  than  this  route  to  the  Indies.  I  have 
seen  it,  these  seventeen  years,  distinct  as  the  vessels  in  the  river, 
bright  as  the  polar  star,  and,  I  make  little  doubt,  as  faithfully. 
It  is  well  to  talk  of  disappointments,  since  they  are  the  lot  of 
man ;  and  who  can  know  this  better  than  one  that  hath  been 
led  on  by  false  hopes  during  all  the  better  years  of  his  life  ; 
now  encouraged  by  princes,  statesmen,  and  churchmen ;  and 
now  derided  and  scoffed  at  as  a  vain  projector,  that  hath  neither 
reason  nor  fact  to  sustain  him !" 

"  By  my  new  patron,  San  Pedro  !  Seiior  Almirante,  but  you 
have  led  a  most  grievous  life,  for  this  last  age,  or  so.  The  next 
three  months  will,  indeed,  be  months  of  moment  to  you." 

"  Thou  little  know'st  the  calmness  of  conviction  and  confi- 
dence, Luis,"  returned  Columbus,  "  if  thou  fanciest  any  doubts 
beset  me  as  the  hour  of  trial  approacheth.  This  day  is  the 
happiest  I  have  known,  for  many  a  weary  year;  for,  though 
the  preparations  are  not  great,  and  our  barks  are  but  slight  and 
of  trifling  bulk,  yonder  lie  the  means  through  which  a  light, 
that  hath  long  been  hid,  is  about  to  break  upon  the  world,  and 
to  raise  Castile  to  an  elevation  surpassing  that  of  any  other 
Christian  nation." 

"Thou  must  regret,  Seiior  Colon,  that  it  hath  not  been 
Genoa,  thy  native  land,  that  is  now  about  to  receive  this  great 
boon,  after  having  merited  it  by  generous  and  free  gifts,  in 
behalf  of  this  great  voyage." 

"  This  hath  not  b>een  the  least  of  my  sorrows,  Luis,  It  is 
10 


222  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

hard  to  desert  one's  own  country,  and  to  seek  new  connections, 
as  life  draweth  to  a  close,  though,  we  mariners,  perhaps,  feel 
the  tie  less  than  those  who  never  quit  the  land.  But  Genoa 
would  have  none  of  me  ;  and  if  the  child  is  bound  to  love  and 
honor  the  parent,  so  is  the  parent  equally  bound  to  protect  and 
foster  the  child.  When  the  last  forgets  its  duty,  the  first  is 
not  to  be  blamed  if  it  seek  support  wherever  it  may  be  found. 
There  are  limits  to  every  human  duty ;  those  we  owe  to  God 
alone,  never  ceasing  to  require  their  fulfilment,  and  our  unceas- 
ing attention.  Genoa  hath  proved  but  a  stern  mother  to  me ; 
and  though  naught  could  induce  me  to  raise  a  hand  against  her, 
she  hath  no  longer  any  claims  on  my  service.  Besides,  when 
the  object  in  view  is  the  service  of  God,  it  mattereth  little  with 
which  of  his  creatures  we  league  as  instruments.  One  cannot 
easily  hate  the  land  of  his  birth,  but  injustice  may  lead  him  to 
cease  to  love  it.  The  tie  is  mutual,  and  when  the  country 
ceaseth  to  protect  person,  character,  property,  or  rights,  the 
subject  is  liberated  from  all  his  duties.  If  allegiance  goeth 
with  protection,  so  should  protection  go  with  allegiance.  Dona 
Isabella  is  now  my  mistress,  and,  next  to  God,  her  will  I  serve, 
and  serve  only.     Castile  is  henceforth  my  country." 

At  this  moment  it  was  announced  that  the  pinnace  waited, 
and  the  two  adventurers  immediately  embarked. 

It  must  have  required  all  the  deep  and  fixed  convictions  of  an 
ardent  temperament,  to  induce  Columbus  to  rejoice  that  he 
had,  at  length,  obtained  the  means  of  satisfying  his  longings 
for  discovery,  when  he  came  coolly  to  consider  what  those 
means  were.  The  names  of  his  vessels,  the  Santa  Maria,  the 
Pinta,  and  the  Miia,  have  already  been  mentioned,  and  some 
allusions  have  been  made  to  their  size  and  construction.  Still, 
it  may  aid  the  reader  in  forming  his  opinions  of  the  character 
of  this  great  enterprise,  if  we  give  a  short  sketch  of  the  vessels, 
more  especially  that  in  which  Columbus  and  Luis  de  Bobadilla 
were  now  received.  She  was,  of  course,  the  Santa  Maria,  a  ship 
of  nearly  twice  the  burden  'of  the  craft  next  her  in  size.  This 
vessel  had  been  prepared  with  more  care  than  the  others,  and 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  223 

some  attention  had  been  paid  to  the  dignity  and  comfort  of  the 
Admiral  she  was  destined  to  cany.  Not  only  was  she  decked 
in,  but  a  poop,  or  round-house,  was  constructed  on  her  quarter- 
deck, in  which  he  had  his  berth.  No  proper  notion  can  be 
obtained  of  the  appearance  of  the  Santa  Maria,  from  the  taunt- 
rigged,  symmetrical,  and  low-sterned  ships  of  the  present  time ; 
for,  though  the  Santa  Maria  had  both  a  poop  and  top-gallant- 
forecastle,  as  they  would  be  termed  to-day,  neither  was  con- 
structed in  the  snug  and  unobtrusive  manner  that  is  now  used. 
The  poop,  or  round-house,  was  called  a  castle,  to  which  it  had 
some  fancied  resemblance,  while  the  top-gallant-forecastle,  in 
which  most  of  the  people  lived,  was  out  of  proportion  large, 
rose  like  a  separate  structure  on  the  bows  of  the  vessel,  and 
occupied  about  a  third  of  the  deck,  from  forward  aft.  To  those 
who  never  saw  the  shipping  that  was  used  throughout  Europe, 
a  century  since,  it  will  not  be  very  obvious  how  vessels  so  small 
could  rise  so  far  above  the  water,  in  safety  ;  but  this  difficulty 
may  be  explained  ;  many  very  old  ships,  that  had  some  of  the 
peculiarities  of  this  construction,  existing  within  the  memory  of 
man,  and  a  few  having  fallen  under  our  own  immediate  inspec- 
tion. The  bearings  of  these  vessels  were  at  the  loaded  water- 
lines,  or  very  little  above  them,  and  they  tumbled  home,  in  a 
wray  to  reduce  their  beams  on  their  poop  decks  nearly,  if  not 
quite,  a  fourth.  By  these  precautions,  their  great  height  out  of 
the  water  was  less  dangerous  than  might  otherwise  have  been 
the  case  ;  and  as  they  were  uniformly  short  ships,  possessing 
the  advantages  of  lifting  easily  forward,  and  were,  moreover, 
low-waisted,  they  might  be  considered  safe  in  a  sea,  rather  than 
the  reverse.  Being  so  short,  too,  they  had  great  beam  for  their 
tonnage,  which,  if  not  an  element  of  speed,  was  at  least  one  of 
•  security.  Although  termed  ships,  these  vessels  were  not  rig- 
ged in  the  manner  of  the  ships  of  the  present  clay,  their 
standing  spars  being  relatively  longer  than  those  now  in  use, 
while  their  upper,  or  shifting  spars,  were  much  less  numerous, 
and  much  less  important  than  those  which  now  point  upward, 
like  needles,  toward  the  clouds.    Neither  had  a  ship  necessarily 


224  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

the  same  number  of  spars,  in  the  fifteenth  century,  as  belong  to 
a  ship  in  the  nineteenth.  The  term  itself,  as  it  was  used  in  all 
the  southern  countries  of  Europe,  being  directly  derived  from 
the  Latin  word  navis,  was  applied  rather  as  a  generic  than  as  a 
distinctive  term,  and  by  no  means  inferred  any  particular  con- 
struction, or  particular  rig.  The  caravel  was  a  ship,  in  this 
sense,  though  not  strictly  so,  perhaps,  when  we  descend  to  the 
more  minute  classification  of  seamen. 

Much  stress  has  been  justly  laid  on  the  fact,  that  two  of  the 
vessels  in  this  extraordinary  enterprise  were  undecked.  In  that 
day,  when  most  sea  voyages  were  made  in  a  direction  parallel 
to  the  main  coasts,  and  when  even  those  that  extended  to  the 
islands  occupied  but  a  very  few  days,  vessels  were  seldom  far  from 
the  land  ;  and  it  was  the  custom  of  the  mariners,  a  practice 
that  has  extended  to  our  own  times,  in  the  southern  seas  of 
Europe,  to  seek  a  port  at  the  approach  of  bad  weather.  Un- 
der such  circumstances,  decks  were  by  no  means  as  essential, 
either  for  the  security  of  the  craft,  the  protection  of  the  cargo, 
or  the  comfort  of  the  people,  as  in  those  cases  in  which  the  full 
fury  of  the  elements  must  be  encountered.  Nevertheless,  the 
reader  is  not  to  suppose  a  vessel  entirely  without  any  upper 
covering,  because  she  was  not  classed  among  those  that  were 
decked  ;  even  such  caravels,  when  used  on  the  high  seas,  usually 
possessing  quarter-decks  and  forecastles,  with  connecting  gang- 
ways ;  depending  on  tarpaulings,  and  other  similar  preventives, 
to  exclude  the  wash  of  the  sea  from  injuring  their  cargoes. 

After  all  these  explanations,  however,  it  must  be  conceded, 
that  the  preparations  for  the  great  undertaking  of  Columbus, 
while  the  imaginations  of  landsmen  probably  aggravate  their 
incompleteness,  strike  the  experienced  seaman  as  altogether 
inadequate  to  its  magnitude  and  risks.  That  the  mariners 
of  the  day  deemed  them  positively  insufficient  is  improbable, 
for  men  as  accustomed  to  the  ocean  as  the  Pinzons,  would  not 
have  volunteered  to  risk  their  vessel,  their  money,  and  their 
persons,  in  an  expedition  that  did  not  possess  the  ordinary 
means  of  security. 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  225 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

"  O'er  the  glad  waters  of  the  dark  blue  sea, 
Our  thoughts  as  boundless,  and  our  souls  as  free, 
Far  as  the  breeze  can  bear,  the  billows  foam, 
Survey  our  empire,  and  behold  our  home.11 

Byron. 

As  Columbus  sought  his  apartment,  soon  after  he  reached 
the  deck  of  the  Holy  Maria,  Luis  had  no  farther  opportunity 
to  converse  with  him  that  night.  He  occupied  a  part  of  the 
same  room,  it  is  true,  under  the  assumed  appellation  of  the 
admiral's  secretary ;  but  the  great  navigator  was  so  much 
engaged  with  duties  necessary  to  be  discharged  previously  to 
sailing,  that  he  could  not  be  interrupted,  and  the  young  man 
paced  the  narrow  limits  of  the  deck  until  near  midnight,  think- 
ing, as  usual,  of  Mercedes,  and  of  his  return,  when,  seeking  his 
mattress,  he  found  Columbus  already  buried  in  a  deep  sleep. 

The  following  day  was  Friday  ;  and  it  is  worthy  of  remark, 
that  the  greatest  and  most  successful  voyage  that  has  ever 
occurred  on  this  globe,  was  commenced  on  a  day  of  the  week 
that  seamen  have  long  deemed  to  be  so  inauspicious  to  nautical 
enterprises,  that  they  have  often  deferred  sailing,  in  order  to 
avoid  the  unknown,  but  dreaded  consequences.  Luis  was 
among  the  first  who  appeared  again  on  deck,  and  casting  his 
eyes  upward,  he  perceived  that  the  admiral  was  already  afoot, 
and  in  possession  of  the  summit  of  the  high  poop,  or  castle, 
whose  narrow  limits,  indeed,  were  deemed  sacred  to  the  uses 
of  the  privileged,  answering,  in  this  particular,  to  the  more 
extended  promenade  of  the  modern  quarter-deck.  Here  it 
was  that  he  who  directed  the  movements  of  a  squadron,  over- 


22G  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

looked  its  evolutions,  threw  out  his  signals,  made  his  astronom- 
ical observations,  and  sought  his  recreation  in  the  open  air. 
The  whole  space  on  board  the  Santa  Maria  might  have  been 
some  fifteen  feet  in  one  direction,  and  not  quite  as  much  in  the 
other,  making  a  convenient  look-out,  more  from  its  exclusion 
and  retirement,  than  from  its  dimensions. 

As  soon  as  the  admiral — or  Don  Christoval,  as  he  was  now 
termed  by  the  Spaniards,  since  his  appointment  to  his  present 
high  rank,  which  gave  him  the  rights  and  condition  of  a  noble 
— as  soon  as  Don  Christoval  caught  a  glance  of  Luis'  eye,  he 
made  a  sign  for  the  young  man  to  ascend  and  take  a  position  at 
his  side.  Although  the  expedition  was  so  insignificant  in  num- 
bers and  force,  not  equalling,  in  the  latter  particular,  the  power 
of  a  single  modern  sloop  of  war,  the  authority  of  the  queen, 
the  gravity  and  mien  of  Columbus  himself,  and,  most  of  all, 
its  own  mysterious  and  unwonted  object,  had,  from  the  first, 
thrown  around  it  a  dignity  that  was  disproportioned  to  its  visi- 
ble means.  Accustomed  to  control  the  passions  of  turbulent 
men,  and  aware  of  the  great  importance  of  impressing  his  fol- 
lowers with  a  sense  of  his  high  station  and  influence  with  the 
court,  Columbus  had  kept  much  aloof  from  familiar  intercourse 
with  his  subordinates,  acting  principally  through  the  Pinzons 
and  the  other  commanders,  lest  he  might  lose  some  portion  of 
that  respect  which  he  foresaw  would  be  necessary  to  his  objects. 
It  needed  not  his  long  experience  to  warn  him  that  men,  crowd- 
ed together  in  so  small  a  space,  could  only  be  kept  in  their  so- 
cial and  professional  stations,  by  the  most  rigid  observance  of 
forms  and  decorum,  and  he  had  observed  a  due  attention  to 
these  great  requisites,  in  prescribing  the  manner  in  which  his 
own  personal  service  should  be  attended  to,  and  his  personal 
dignity  supported.  This  is  one  of  the  great  secrets  of  the  dis- 
cipline of  a  ship,  for  they  who  are  incapable  of  reasoning,  can 
be  made  to  feel,  and  no  man  is  apt  to  despise  him  who  is  well 
entrenched  behind  the  usages  of  deference  and  reserve.  We 
see,  daily,  the  influence  of  an  appellation,  or  a  commission, 
even  the  turbulent  submitting  to  its  authority,  when  they  might 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  227 

resist  the  same  lawful  commands  issuing  from  an  apparently  less 
elevated  source. 

"Thou  wilt  keep  much  near  my  person,  Seiior  Gutierrez," 
said  the  admiral,  using  the  feigned  name  which  Luis  affected  to 
conceal  under  that  of  Pedro  de  Munos,  as  he  knew  a  ship  wras 
never  safe  from  eaves-droppers,  and  was  willing  that  the  young 
noble  should  pass  as  the  gentleman  of  the  king's  bedchamber ; 
* '  this  is  our  station,  and  here  wTe  must  remain  much  of  our 
time,  until  God,  in  his  holy  and  wise  providence,  shall  have 
♦opened  the  way  for  us  to  Cathay,  and  brought  us  near  the 
throne  of  the  Great  Khan.  Here  is  our  course,  and  along  this 
track  of  pathless  ocean  it  is  my  intention  to  steer." 

As  Columbus  spoke,  he  pointed  to  a  chart  that  lay  spread  be- 
fore him  on  an  arm-chest,  passing  a  ringer  calmly  along  the  line 
he  intended  to  pursue.  The  coast  of  Europe,  in  its  general 
outlines,  was  laid  down  on  this  chart,  with  as  much  accuracy 
as  the  geographical  knowledge  of  the  day  would  furnish,  and  a 
range  of  land  extended  southward  as  far  as  Guinea,  all  beyond 
which  region  was  terra  incognita  to  the  learned  world  at  that 
time.  The  Canaries  and  the  Azores,  which  had  been  discov- 
ered some  generations  earlier,  occupied  their  proper  places, 
while  the  western  side  of  the  Atlantic  was  bounded  by  a  fan- 
cied delineation  of  the  eastern  coast  of  India,  or  of  Cathay, 
buttressed  by  the  island  of  Cipango,  or  Japan,  and  an  Archi- 
pelago, that  had  been  represented  principally  after  the  accounts 
of  Marco  Polo  and  his  relatives.  By  a  fortunate  misconception, 
Cipango  had  been  placed  in  a  longitude  that  corresponded  very 
nearly  with  that  of  Washington,  or  some  two  thousand  leagues 
east  of  the  position  in  which  it  is  actually  to  be  found.  This 
error  of  Columbus,  in  relation  to  the  extent  of  the  circumfer- 
ence of  the  globe,  in  the  end,  most  probably  saved  his  hardy 
enterprise  from  becoming  a  failure. 

Luis,  for  the  first  time  since  he  had  been  engaged  in  the  ex- 
pedition, cast  his  eyes  over  this  chart,  with  some  curiosity,  and 
he  felt  a  noble  desire  to  solve  the  great  problem  rising  within 
him,  as  he  thus  saw,  at  a  glance,  all  the  vast  results,  as  well  as 


228  MERCEDES      OF      CASJILE. 

the  interesting  natural  phenomena,  that  were  dependent  on  the 
issue. 

"By  San  Gennaro  of  Napoli!"  he  exclaimed — The  only  af- 
fectation the  young  noble  had,  was  a  habit  of  invoking  the 
saints  of  the  different  countries  he  had  visited,  and  of  using  the 
little  oaths  and  exclamations  of  distant  lands,  a  summary  mode 
of  both  letting  the  world  know  how  far  he  had  journeyed,  as 
well  as  a  portion  of  the  improvement  he  had  derived  from  his 
travels — "  By  San  Gennaro,  Seiior  Don  Christoval,  but  this 
voyage  will  be  one  of  exceeding  merit,  if  we  ever  find  our  way 
across  this  .great  belt  of  water  ;  and  greater  still,  should  we 
ever  manage  to  return  I" 

"  The  last  difficulty  is  the  one,  at  this  moment,  uppermost  in 
the  minds  of  most  in  this  vessel,"  answered  Columbus.  "Dost 
thou  not  perceive,  Don  Luis,  the  grave  and  dejected  counte- 
nances of  the  mariners,  and  hearest  thou  the  wailings  that  are 
rising  from  the  shore  ?" 

This  remark  caused  the  young  man  to  raise  his  eyes  from 
the  chart,  and  to  take  a  survey  of  the  scene  around  him.  The 
Nina,  a  light  felucca,  in  fact,  was  already  under  way,  and  brush- 
ing past  them  under  a  latine  foresail,  her  sides  thronged  with 
boats  filled  with  people,  no  small  portion  of  whom  were  females 
and  children,  and  most  of  whom  were  wringing  their  hands  and 
raising  piteous  cries  of  despair.  The  Pinta  was  in  the  act  of 
being  cast  ;  and,  although  the  authority  of  Martin  Alonzo 
Pinzon  had  the  effect  to  render  their  grief  less  clamorous,  her 
sides  were  surrounded  by  a  similar  crowd,  while  numberless 
boats  plied  around  the  Santa  Maria  herself ;  the  authority  and 
dignity  of  the  admiral  alone  keeping  them  at  a  distance.  It 
was  evident  that  most  of  those  who  remained,  fancied  that  they 
now  saw  their  departing  relations  for  the  last  time,  while  no 
small  portion  of  those  who  were  on  the  eve  of  sailing,  believed 
they  were  on  the  point  of  quitting  Spain  forever. 

"Hast  looked  for  Pepe,  this  morning,  among  our  people  ?" 
demanded  Columbus,  the  incident  of  the  young  sailor  recurring 
to  his  thoughts,  for  the  first  time  that  morning;   "  if  he  prove 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  229 

false  to  his  word,  we  may  regard  it  as  an  evil  omen,  and  have 
an  eye  on  all  our  followers,  while  there  is  a  chance  of  escape." 

"  If  his  absence  would  be  an  omen  of  evil,  Senor  Almirante, 
his  presence  ought  to  be  received  as  an  omen  of  good.  The 
noble  fellow,  is  on  this  yard,  above  our  heads,  loosening  the 
sail." 

Columbus  turned  his  eyes  upward,  and  there,  indeed,  was  the 
young  mariner  in  question,  poised  on  the  extreme  and  atten- 
uated end  of  the  latine  yard,  that  ships  even  then  carried  on 
their  after-masts,  swinging  in  the  wind  while  he  loosened  the 
gasket  that  kept  the  canvas  in  its  folds.  Occasionally  he  looked 
beneath  him,  anxious  to  discover  if  his  return  had  been  noted ; 
and,  once  or  twice,  his  hands,  usually  so  nimble,  lingered  in 
their  employment,  as  he  cast  glances  over  the  stern  of  the  ves- 
sel, as  if  one  also  drew  his  attention  in  that  quarter.  Colum- 
bus made  a  sign  of  recognition  to  the  gratified  young  mariner, 
who  instantly  permitted  the  canvas  to  fall ;  and  then  he  walked 
to  the  taffrail,  accompanied  by  Luis,  in  order  to  ascertain  if 
any  boat  was  near  the  ship.  There,  indeed,  close  to  the  vessel, 
lay  a  skiff,  rowed  by  Monica  alone,  and  which  had  been  per- 
mitted to  approach  so  near  on  account  of  the  sex  of  its  occupant. 
The  moment  the  wife  of  Pepe  observed  the  form  of  the  admiral, 
she  arose  from  her  seat,  and  clasped  her  hands  toward  him, 
desirous,  but  afraid,  to  speak.  Perceiving  that  the  woman  was 
awed  by  the  bustle,  the  crowd  of  persons,  and  the  appearance 
of  the  ship,  which  she  was  almost  near  enough  to  touch  with 
her  hand,  Columbus  addressed  her.  He  spoke  mildly,  and  his 
looks,  usually  so  grave,  and  sometimes  even  stern,  were  softened 
to  an  expression  of  gentleness  that  Luis  had  never  bef)re 
witnessed. 

"  I  see  that  thy  husband  hath  been  true  to  his  promise,  good 
woman,"  he  said  ;  "  and  I  doubt  not  that  thou  hast  told  him  it 
is  wiser  and  better  manfully  to  serve  the  queen,  than  to  live 
under  the  disgrace  of  a  runaway. " 

"  Senor,  I  have.  I  give  Dona  Isabella  my  husband,  without 
a  murmur,  if  not  cheerfully,  now  I  know  that  you  go  forth  to 


230  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE, 

serve  God.  I  see  the  wickedness  of  my  repinings,  and  shall 
pray  that  he  may  be  foremost,  on  all  occasions,  until  the  ears 
of  the  Infidel  shall  be  opened  to  the  words  of  the  true  faith. " 

"  This  is  said  like  a  Spanish  wife,  and  a  Christian  woman  ! 
Our  lives  are  in  the  care  of  Providence,  and  doubt  not  of  seeing 
Pepe,  in  health  and  safety,  after  he  hath  visited  Cathay,  and 
done  his  share  in  its  discovery." 

"Ah!  Senor — when?"  exclaimed  the  wife,  unable,  in  spite 
of  her  assumed  fortitude,  and  the  strong  feelings  of  religious 
duty,  to  suppress  the  impulses  of  a  woman. 

"  In  God's  time,  my  good — how  art  thou  named  ?*' 

"  Monica,  Senor  Almirante,  and  my  husband  is  called  Pepe  ; 
and  the  boy,  the  poor,  fatherless  child,  hath  been  christened 
Juan.  We  have  no  Moorish  blood,  but  are  pure  Spaniards, 
and  I  pray  your  Excellency  to  remember  it,  on  such  occasions 
as  may  call  for  more  dangerous  duty  than  common." 

"  Thou  may'st  depend  on  my  care  of  the  father  of  Juan,"  re- 
turned the  admiral,  smiling,  though  a  tear  glistened  in  his  eye. 
"  I,  too,  leave  behind  those  that  are  dear  to  me  as  my  own  soul, 
and  among  others  a  motherless  son.  Should  aught  serious  befall 
our  vessel,  Diego  would  be  an  orphan ;  whereas  thy  Juan  would 
at  least  enjoy  the  care  and  affection  of  her  who  brought  him 
into  the  world." 

"  Seiior,  a  thousand  pardons !"  said  the  woman,  much 
touched  by  the  feeling  that  was  betrayed  by  the  admiral  in 
his  voice.  "  We  are  selfish,  and  forget  that  others  have  sor- 
rows, when  we  feel  our  own  too  keenly.  Go  forth,  in  God's 
name,  and  do  his  holy  will — take  my  husband  with  you  : 
I  only  wish  that  little  Juan  was  old  enough  to  be  his  com- 
panion." 

Monica  could  utter  no  more,  but  dashing  the  tears  from  her 
eyes,  she  resumed  the  oars,  and  pulled  the  little  skiff  slowly, 
as  if  the  inanimate  machine  felt  the  reluctance  of  the  hands 
that  propelled  it,  toward  the  land.  The  short  dialogue  just 
related,  had  been  carried  on  in  voices  so  loud  as  to  be  heard 
by  all  near  the  speakers  ;  and  when  Columbus  turned  from  the 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  231 

boat,  lie  saw  that  many  of  his  crew  had  been  hanging  suspend- 
ed in  the  rigging,  or  on  the  yards,  eagerly  listening  to  what 
had  been  said.  At  this  precise  instant  the  anchor  of  the  Santa 
Maria  was  raised  from  the  bottom,  and  the  ship's  head  began  to 
incline  from  the  direction  of  the  wind.  At  the  next  moment, 
the  flap  of  the  large  square  foresail  that  crafts  of  her  rig  then 
carried,  was  heard,  and  in  the  course  of  the  next  five  minutes, 
the  three  vessels  were  standing  slowly  but  steadily  down  the 
current  of  the  Odiel,  in  one  of  the  arms  of  which  river  they 
had  been  anchored,  holding  their  course  toward  a  bar  near  its 
mouth.  The  sun  had  not  yet  risen,  or  rather  it  rose  over  the 
hills  of  Spain,  a  fiery  ball,  just  as  the  sails  were  set,  gilding 
with  a  melancholy  glory,  a  coast  that  not  a  few  in  the  different 
vessels  apprehended  they  were  looking  upon  for  the  last  time. 
Many  of  the  boats  clung  to  the  two  smaller  craft  until  they 
reached  the  bar  of  Saltes,  an  hour  or  two  later,  and  some  still 
persevered  until  they  began  to  toss  in  the  long  waves  of  the 
breathing  ocean,  when,  the  wind  being  fresh  at  the  west,  they 
reluctantly  cast  off,  one  by  one,  amid  sighs  and  groans.  The 
liberated  ships,  in  the  meanwhile,  moved  steadily  into  the  blue 
waters  of  the  shoreless  Atlantic,  like  human  beings  silently  im- 
pelled by  their  destinies  toward  fates  that  they  can  neither  fore- 
see, control,  nor  avoid. 

The  day  was  fine,  and  the  wind  both  brisk  and  fair.  Thus 
far  the  omens  were  propitious  ;  but  the  unknown  future  threw 
a  cloud  over  the  feelings  of  a  large  portion  of  those  who  were 
thus  quitting,  in  gloomy  uncertainty,  all  that  was  most  dear  to 
them.  It  was  known  that  the  admiral  intended  making  the 
best  of  his  way  toward  the  Canaries,  thence  to  enter  on  the 
unknown  and  hitherto  untrodden  paths  of  the  desert  ocean  that 
lay  beyond.  Those  who  doubted,  therefore,  fixed  upon  those 
islands  as  the  points  where  their  real  dangers  were  to  com- 
mence, and  already  looked  forward  to  their  appearance  in  the 
horizon,  with  feelings  akin  to  those  with  which  the  guilty  re- 
gard the  day  of  trial,  the  condemned  the  morning  of  execution, 
or  the  sinner  the  bed  of  death.     Many,  however,  were  superior 


232  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

to  this  weakness,  having  steeled  their  nerves  and  prepared  their 
minds  for  any  hazards,  though  the  feelings  of  nearly  all  fluctu- 
ated ;  there  being  hours  when  hope,  and  anticipations  of  suc- 
cess, seemed  to  cheer  the  entire  crews  ;  and  then,  moments 
would  occur,  in  which  the  disposition  was  to  common  doubts, 
and  a  despondency  that  was  nearly  general. 

A  voyage  to  the  Canaries  or  the  Azores,  in  that  age,  was 
most  probably  to  be  classed  among  the  hardiest  exploits  of  sea- 
men. The  distance  was  not  as  great,  certainly,  as  many  of  their 
more  ordinary  excursions,  for  vessels  frequently  went,  even  in 
the  same  direction,  as  far  as  the  Cape  de  Verdes ;  but  all  the 
other  European  passages  lay  along  the  land,  and  in  the  Mediter- 
ranean the  seaman  felt  that  he  was  navigating  within  known 
limits,  and  was  apt  to  consider  himself  as  embayed  within  the 
boundaries  of  human  knowledge.  On  the  contrary,  while  sail- 
ing on  the  broad  Atlantic,  he  was,  in  some  respects,  placed  in  a 
situation  resembling  that  of  the  aeronaut,  who,  while  floating  in 
the  higher  currents  of  the  atmosphere,  sees  beneath  him  the 
earth  as  his  only  alighting  place,  the  blue  void  of  untravelled 
space  stretching  in  all  other  directions  about  him. 

The  Canary  Isles  were  known  to  the  ancients.  Juba,  the 
king  of  Mauritania,  who  was  a  contemporary  of  Ca3sar,  is  said 
to  have  described  them  with  tolerable  accuracy,  under  the  gen- 
eral name  of  the  Fortunate  Isles.  The  work  itself  has  been 
lost,  but  the  fact  is  known  through  the  evidence  of  other  writ- 
ers; and  by  the  same  means  it  is  known  that  they  possessed, 
even  in  that  remote  age,  a  population  that  had  made  some  re- 
spectable advances  toward  civilization.  But  in  the  process  of 
time,  and  during  the  dark  period  that  succeeded  the  brightness 
of  the  Roman  sway,  even  the  position  of  these  islands  was  lost 
to  the  Europeans ;  nor  was  it  again  ascertained  until  the  first 
half  of  the  fourteenth  centuiy,  when  they  were  discovered  by 
certain  fugitive  Spaniards  who  were  hard  pressed  by  the  Moors. 
After  this,  the  Portuguese,  then  the  most  hardy  navigators  of 
the  known  world,  got  possession  of  one  or  two  of  them,  and 
made  them  the  starting  points  for  their  voyages  of  discovery 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  233 

along  the  coast  of  Guinea.  As  the  Spaniards  reduced  the  pow 
er  of  the  Mussulmans,  and  regained  their  ancient  sway  in  the 
peninsula,  they  once  more  turned  their  attention  in  this  direc- 
tion, conquering  the  natives  of  several  of  the  other  islands,  the 
group  belonging  equally  to  those  two  Christian  nations,  at  the 
time  of  our  narrative. 

Luis  de  Bobadilla,  who  had  navigated  extensively  in  the  more 
northern  seas,  and  wTho  had  passed  and  repassed  the  Mediter- 
ranean in  various  directions,  knew  nothing  of  these  islands  ex- 
cept by  report;  and  as  they  stood  on  the  poop,  Columbus 
pointed  out  to  him  their  position,  and  explained  their  different 
characters;  relating  his  intentions  in  connection  with  them, 
dwelling  on  the  supplies  they  afforded,  and  on  their  facilities  as 
a  point  of  departure. 

"  The  Portuguese  have  profited  much  by  their  use  of  these 
islands/'  said  Columbus,  "as  a  place  for  victualling,  and  wood- 
ing, and  watering,  and  I  see  no  reason  why  Castile  may  not, 
now,  imitate  their  example,  and  receive  her  share  of  the  bene- 
fits. Thou  seest  how  far  south  our  neighbors  have  penetrated, 
and  what  a  trade  and  how  much  riches  are  flowing  into  Lisbon 
through  these  noble  enterprises,  which,  notwithstanding,  are  but 
as  a  bucket  of  water  in  the  ocean,  when  compared  with  the 
wealth,  of  Cathay  and  all  the  mighty  consequences  that  are  to 
follow  from  this  western  voyage  of  ours." 

"  Dost  thou  expect  to  reach  the  territories  of  the  Great  Khan, 
Don  Christoval,"  demanded  Luis,  "  within  a  distance  as  small 
as  that  to  which  the  Portuguese  hath  gone  southwardly  Vy 

The  navigator  looked  warily  around,  to  ascertain  who  might 
hear  his  words,  and  finding  that  no  one  was  within  reach  of  the 
sound  of  his  voice  while  he  used  a  proper  caution,  he  lowered 
its  tones,  and  answered  in  a  manner  which  greatly  flattered  his 
young  companion,  as  it  proved  that  the  admiral  was  disposed 
to  treat  him  with  the  frankness  and  confidence  of  a  friend. 

"Thou  know'st,  Don  Luis,"  the  navigator  resumed,  "the 
nature  of  the  spirits  with  whom  we  have  to  deal.  I  shall  not 
even  be  certain  of  their  services,  so  long;  as  we  continue  near 


234  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

the  coast  of  Europe ;  for  naught  is  easier  than  for  one  of  yon- 
der craft  to  abandon  me  in  the  night,  and  to  seek  a  haven  on 
some  known  coast,  seeking  his  justification  in  some  fancied 
necessity." 

"  Martin  Alonzo  is  not  a  man  to  do  that  ignoble  and  unwor- 
thy act!"  interrupted  Luis. 

"He  is  not,  my  young  friend,  for  a  motive  as  base  as  fear," 
returned  Columbus,  with  a  sort  of  thoughtful  smile,  which 
showed  how  truly  and  early  he  had  dived  into  the  real  charac- 
ters of  those  with  whom  he  was  associated.  "  Martin  Alonzo 
is  a  bold  and  intelligent  navigator,  and  we  may  look  for  good 
service  at  his  hands,  in  all  that  toucheth  resolution  and  perse- 
verance. But  the  eyes  of  the  Pinzons  cannot  be  always  open, 
and  the  knowledge  of  all  the  philosophers  of  the  earth  could 
make  no  resistance  against  the  headlong  impetuosity  of  a  crew 
of  alarmed  mutineers.  I  do  not  feel  certain  of  our  own  people 
while  there  is  a  hope  of  easy  return  ;  much  less  of  men  who 
are  not  directly  under  my  own  eye  and  command.  The  ques- 
tion thou  hast  asked,  Luis,  may  not,  therefore,  be  publicly  an- 
swered, since  the  distance  we  are  about  to  sail  over  would 
frighten  our  easily  alarmed  mariners.  Thou  art  a  cavalier ;  a 
knight  of  known  courage,  and  may  be  depended  on  ;  and  I  may 
tell  thee,  without  fear  of  arousing  any  unworthy  feeling,  that 
the  voyage  on  which  we  are  now  fairly  embarked,  hath  never 
had  a  precedent  on  this  earth,  for  its  length,  or  for  the  loneli- 
ness of  its  way." 

"  And  yet,  Senor,  thou  enterest  on  it  with  the  confidence  of 
a  man  certain*  of  reaching  his  haven  ?" 

"  Luis,  thou  hast  well  judged  my  feelings.  As  to  all  those 
common  dreads  of  descents,  and  ascents,  of  the  difficulties  of 
a  return,  and  of  reaching  the  margin  of  the  world,  whence  we 
may  glide  oft*  into  space,  neither  thou,  nor  I,  shall  be  much 
subjected.' ' 

"By  San  Iago  !  Senor  Don  Christoval,  I  have  no  very  set- 
tled notions  about  these  things.  I  have  never  known  of  any 
one  who  hath  slidden  off  the  earth  into  the  air,  it  is  true,  nor 


MERCEDES       OF      CASTILE.  235  # 

do  I  much,  think  that  such  a  slide  is  likely  to  befall  us  and  our 
good  ships ;  but,  on  the  other  hand,  we  have  as  yet  only 
doctrine  to  prove  that  the  earth  is  round,  and  that  it  is  possible 
to  journey  east,  by  sailing  west.  On  these  subjects,  then,  I  hold 
myself  neuter ;  while,  at  the  same  time,  thou  may'st  steer  direct 
for  the  moon,  and  Luis  de  Bobadilla  will  be  found  at  thy  side.'' 

"  Thou  makest  thyself  less  expert  in  science,  mad-brained 
young  noble,  than  is  either  true  or  necessary  ;  but  we  will  say 
no  more  of  this,  at  present.  There  will  be  sufficient  leisure  to 
make  thee  familiar  with  all  my  intricate  reasons  and  familiar 
motives.  And  is  not  this,  Don  Luis,  a  most  heavenly  sight  ? 
Here  am  I  in  the  open  ocean,  honored  by  the  two  sovereigns 
with  the  dignity  of  their  viceroy  and  admiral  ;  with  a  fleet 
that  is  commissioned  by  their  Highnesses  to  carry  the  knowl- 
edge of  their  power  and  authority  to  the  uttermost  parts  of  the 
earth ;  and,  most  of  all,  to  raise  the  cross  of  our  blessed  Re- 
deemer before  the  eyes  of  Infidels,  who  have  never  yet  even 
heard  his  name,  or,  if  they  have,  reverence  it  as  little  as  a 
Christian  would  reverence  the  idols  of  the  heathens  !" 

This  was  said  with  the  calm  but  deep  enthusiasm  that  color- 
ed the  entire  character  of  the  great  navigator,  rendering  him, 
at  times,  equally  the  subject  of  distrust  and  of  profound  re- 
sp'ect.  On  Luis,  as,  indeed,  on  most  others  who  lived  in  suffi- 
cient familiarity  with  the  man  to  enable  them  to  appreciate  his 
motives,  and  to  judge  correctly  of  the  uprightness  of  his  views, 
the  effect,  however,  was  always  favorable,  and  probably  would 
have  been  so  had  Mercedes  never  existed.  The  young  man, 
himself,  was  not  entirely  without  a  tinge  of  enthusiasm,  and, 
as  is  ever  the  case  with  the  single-minded  and  generous,  he 
best  knew  how  to  regard  the  impulses  of  those  who  were  in- 
fluenced by  similar  qualities.  This  answer  was  consequently  in 
accordance  with  the  feelings  of  the  admiral,  and  they  remained 
on  the  poop  several  hours,  discoursing  of  the  future,  with  the 
ardor  of  those  who  hoped  for  every  thing,  but  in  a  manner  too 
discursive  and  general  to  render  a  record  of  the  dialogue  easy 
or  necessary. 


*236  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

It  was  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning  when  the  vessels  passed 
the  bar  of  Saltes,  and  the  clay  had  far  advanced  before  the 
navigators  had  lost  sight  of  the  familiar  eminences  that  lay 
around  Palos,  and  the  other  well-known  land-marks  of  the 
coast.  The  course  was  due  south,  and,  as  the  vessels  of  that 
day  were  lightly  sparred,  and  spread  comparatively  very  little 
canvas,  when  considered  in  connection  with  the  more  dashing 
navigation  of  our  own  times,  the  rate  of  sailing  was  slow,  and 
far  from  promising  a  speedy  termination  to  a  voyage  that  all 
knew  must  be  long  without  a  precedent,  and  which  so  many 
feared  could  never  have  an  end.  Two  marine  leagues,  of  three 
English  miles,  an  hour,  was  good  progress  for  a  vessel  at  that 
day,  even  with  a  fresh  and  favorable  wind  ;  though  there  are  a 
few  memorable  clays'  works  set  clown  by  Columbus  himself, 
which  approach  to  a  hundred  and  sixty  miles  in  the  twenty- 
four  hours,  and  which  are  evidently  noted  as  a  speed  of  which 
a  mariner  might  well  be  proud.  In  these  days  of  locomotion 
and  travelling,  it  is  scarcely  necessary  to  tell  the  intelligent 
reader  this  is  but  a  little  more  than  half  the  distance  that  is 
sailed  over  by  a  fast  ship,  under  similar  circumstances,  and  in 
our  own  time. 

Thus  the  sun  set  upon  the  adventurers,  in  this  celebrated 
voyage,  when  they  had  sailed  with  a  strong  breeze,  to  use  the 
words  of  Columbus'  own  record,  some  eleven  hours,  after  quit- 
ting the  bar.  By  this  time,  they  had  made  good  less  than  fifty 
miles,  in  a  due  south  course  from  the  place  of  their  departure. 
The  land  in  the  neighborhood  of  Palos  had  entirely  sunk  behind 
the  watery  margin  of  the  ocean,  in  that  direction,  and  the  coast 
trending  eastward,  it  was  only  here  and  there  that  the  misty 
summits  of  a  few  of  the  mountains  of  Seville  could  just  be  dis- 
covered by  the  experienced  eyes  of  the  older  mariners,  as  the 
glowing  ball  of  the  sun  sunk  into  the  watery  bed  of  the  western 
horizon,  and  disappeared  from  view.  At  this  precise  moment, 
Columbus  and  Luis  were  again  on  the  poop,  watching,  with 
melancholy  interest,  the  last  shadows  cast  by  Spanish  land, 
while  two  seamen  were  at  work  near  them,  splicing  a  rope 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  237 

that  had  been  chafed  asunder.  The  latter  were  seated  on  the 
deck,  and  as,  out  of  respect  to  the  admiral,  they  had  taken 
their  places  a  little  on  one  side,  their  presence  was  not  at  first 
noted. 

"  There  setteth  the  sun  beneath  the  waves  of  the  wide  Atlan- 
tic, Senor ■Gutierrez,"  observed  the  admiral,  who  was  ever  cau- 
tious to  use  one  or  the  other  of  Luis'  feigned  appellations,  when- 
ever any  person,was  near.  "  There  the  sun  quitteth  us,  Pero, 
and  in  his  daily  course  I  see  a  proof  of  the  globular  form  of  the 
earth ;  and  of  the  truth  of  a  theory  which  teacheth  us  that 
Cathay  may  be  reached  by  the  western  voyage." 

"  I  am  ever  ready  to  admit  the  wisdom  of  all  your  plans,  ex- 
pectations, and  thoughts,  Senor  Don  Christoval,"  returned  the 
young  man,  punctiliously  observant  of  respect,  both  in  speech 
and  manner;  ubut  I  confess  I  cannot  see  what  the  daily  course 
of  the  sun  has  to  do  with  the  position  of  Cathay,  or  with  the 
road  that  leads  to  it.  We  know  that  the  great  luminary 
travelleth  the  heavens  without  ceasing,  that  it  cometh  up  out  of 
the  sea  in  the  morning,  and  goeth  down  to  its  watery  bed  at 
night ;  but  this  it  doth  on  the  coast  of  Castile,  as  well  as  on 
that  of  Cathay  ;  and,  therefore,  to  me  it  doth  appear,  that  no 
particular  inference,  for  or  against  our  success,  is  to  be  drawn 
from  the  circumstance." 

As  this  was  said,  the  two  sailors  ceased  working,  looking 
curiously  up  into  the  face  of  the  admiral,  anxious  to  hear  his 
reply.  By  this  movement  Luis  perceived  that  one  was  Pepe, 
to  whom  he  gave  a  nod  of  recognition,  while  the  other  was  a 
stranger.  The  last  had  every  appearance  of  a  thorough-bred 
seaman  of  that  period,  or  of  being,  what  would  have  been 
termed  in  English,  and  the  more  northern  languages  of  Europe, 
a  regular  "  sea-dog;"  a  term  that  expresses  the  idea  of  a  man 
so  completely  identified  with  the  ocean  by  habit,  as  to  have  had 
his  exterior,  his  thoughts,  his  language,  and  even  his  morality, 
colored  by  the  association.  This  sailor  was  approaching  fifty, 
was  short,  square,  athletic,  and  still  active,  but  there  was  a  mix- 
ture of  the  animal  with  the  intellectual  creature  about  his  coarse, 


238  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

heavy  features,  that  is  very  usual  in  the  countenances  of  men 
of  native  humor  and  strong  sense,  whose  habits  have  been  coarse 
and  sensual.  That  he  was  a  prime  seaman,  Columbus  knew  at 
a  glance,  not  only  from  his  general  appearance,  but  from  his 
occupation,  which  was  such  as  only  fell  to  the  lot  of  the  most 
skilful  men  of  every  crew. 

"  I  reason  after  this  fashion,  Senor,"  answered  the  admiral, 
as  soon  as  his  eye  turned  from  the  glance  that  he,  too,  had 
thrown  upon  the  men;  "the  sun  is  not  made  to  journey  thus 
around  the  earth  without  a  sufficient  motive,  the  providence  of 
God  being  ruled  by  infinite  wisdom.  It  is  not  probable  that  a 
luminary  so  generous  and  useful  should  be  intended  to  waste 
any  of  its  benefits ;  and  we  are  certain  already  that  day  and 
night  journey  westward  over  this  earth  as  far  as  it  is  known  to 
us,  whence  I  infer  that  the  system  is  harmonious,  and  the  bene- 
fits of  the  great  orb  are  unceasingly  bestowed  on  man,  reaching 
one  spot  on  the  earth  as  it  quits  another.  The  sun  that  hath 
just  left  us  is  still  visible  in  the  Azores,  and  will  be  seen  again 
at  Smyrna,  and  among  the  Grecian  Islands,  an  hour,  or  more, 
before  it  again  meets  our  eyes.  Nature  hath  designed  naught 
for  uselessness  ;  and  I  believe  that  Cathay  will  be  enlightened 
by  that  ball  which  hath  just  left  us,  while  we  shall  be  in  the 
deepest  hour  of  the  night,  to  return  by  its  eastern  path,  across 
the  great  continent  of  Asia,  and  to  greet  us  again  in  the  morn- 
ing. In  a  word,  friend  Pedro,  that  which  Sol  is  now  doing  with 
such  nimble  speed  in  the  heavens,  we  are  more  humbly  imitat- 
ing in  our  own  caravels ;  give  us  sufficient  time,  and  we,  too, 
might  traverse  the  earth,  coming  in  from  our  journey  by  the 
land  of  the  Tartars  and  the  Persians.' ' 

"  From  all  of  which  you  infer  that  the  world  is  round,  where- 
in we  are  to  find  the  certainty  of  our  success  ?" 

"  This  is  so  true,  Senor  de  Muiios,  that  I  should  be  sorry  to 
think  any  man  who  now  saileth  under  my  command  did  not 
admit  it.  Here  are  two  seamen  who  have  been  listening  to  our 
discourse,  and  we  will  question  them,  that  we  may  know  the 
opinions  of  men  accustomed  to  the  ocean.     Thou  art  the  hus- 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  239 

band  with  whom  I  held  discourse  on  the  sands,  the  past  even- 
ing,' and  thy  name  is  Pepe  ?" 

"  Sefior  Almirante,  your  Excellency's  memory  doth  me  too 
much  honor,  in  not  forgetting  a  face  that  is  altogether  unworthy 
of  being  noticed  and  remembered." 

"It  is  an  honest  face,  friend,  and  no  doubt  speaketh  for  a 
true  heart.  I  shall  count  on  thee  as  a  sure  support,  let  things 
go  as  they  may. " 

"His  Excellency  hath  not  only  a  right  to  command  me,  as  her 
Highness'  admiral,  but  he  hath  now  the  good-will  of  Monica, 
and  that  is  much  the  same  as  having  gained  her  husband." 

"I  thank  thee,  honest  Pepe,  and  shall  count  on  thee,  with 
certainty,  in  future,"  answered  Columbus,  turning  toward 
the  other  seaman — "And  thou,  shipmate — thou  hast  the  air 
of  one  that  the  sight  of  troubled  water  will  not  alarm — thou 
hast  a  name  ?" 

"  That  I  have,  noble  admiral,"  returned  the  fellow,  looking 
up  with  a  freedom  that  denoted  one  used  to  have  his  say  ; 
"  though  it  hath  neither  a  Don,  nor  a  Senor,  to  take  it  in 
tow.  My  intimates  commonly  call  out  Sancho,  when  pressed 
for  time,  and  when  civility  gets  the  better  of  haste,  they  add 
Mundo,  making  Sancho  Mundo  for  the  whole  name  of  a  very 
poor  man." 

"  Mundo  is  a  large  name  for  so  small  a  person,"  said  the  ad- 
miral, smiling,  for  he  foresaw  the  expediency  of  having  friends 
among  his  crew,  and  knew  men  sufficiently  to  understand  that, 
while  undue  familiarity  undermined  respect,  a  little  unbending 
had  a  tendency  to  win  hearts.  "  I  wonder  that  thou  shouldst 
venture  to  wear  a  sound  so  lofty  !" 

"  I  tell  my  fellows,  your  Excellency,  that  Mundo  is  my  title, 
and  not  my  name  ;  but  that  I  am  greater  than  kings,  even, 
who  are  content  to  take  their  titles  from  a  part  of  that,  of  which 
I  bear  all." 

"  And  were  thy  father  and  thy  mother  called  Mundo,  also  ? 
Or,  is  this  name  taken  in  order  to  give  thee  an  occasion  to 
show  thy  smartness,  when  questioned  by  thy  officers  ?" 


240  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

"As  for  the  good  people  you  deign  to  mention,  Senor  Don 
Almirante,  I  shall  leave  them  to  answer  for  themselves,  and 
that  for  the  simple  reason  that  I  do  not  know  how  they  were 
called,  or  whether  they  had  any  names  at  all.  They  tell  me  I 
was  found,  when  a  few  hours  old,  under  a  worn-out  basket  at 
the  ship-yard  gate  of  old" — 

"  Never  mind  the  precise  spot,  friend  Sancho — thou  wert 
found  with  a  basket  for  a  cradle,  and  that  maketh  a  volume  in 
thy  history,  at  once." 

"Nay,  Excellency,  I  would  not  leave  the  spot  a  place  of 
dispute  hereafter — but  it  shall  be  as  you  please.  They  say  no 
one  here  knoweth  exactly  where -we  are  going,  and  it  will  be 
more  suitable  that  the  like  ignorance  should  rest  over  the 
places  whence  we  came.  But  having  the  world  before  me, 
they  that  christened  me  gave  me  as  much  of  it  as  was  to  be  got 
by  a  name." 

"  Thou  hast  been  long  a  mariner,  Sancho  Mundo — if  Mundo 
thou  wilt  be." 

"  So  long,  Senor,  that  it  sickeneth  me,  and  taketh  away  the 
appetite  to  walk  on  solid  ground.  Being  so  near  the  gate,  it 
was  no  great  matter  to  put  me  into  the  ship-yard,  and  I  was 
launched  one  day  in  a  caravel,  and  got  to  sea  in  her,  no  one 
knows  how.  From  that  time  I  have  submitted  to  fate,  and  go 
out  again,  as  soon  as  possible,  after  I  come  into  port." 

"  And  by  what  lucky  chance  have  I  obtained  thy  services, 
good  Sancho,  in  this  great  expedition  ?" 

"  The  authorities  of  Moguer  took  me  under  the  queen's  or- 
der, your  Excellency,  thinking  that  this  voyage  would  be  more 
to  my  mind  than  another,  as  it  was  likely  never  to  have  an 
end." 

"  Art  thou  a  compelled  adventurer,  on  this  service  ?" 

"  Not  I,  Senor  Don  Almirante,  although  they  who  sent  me 
here  fancy  as  much.  It  is  natural  for  a  man  to  wish  to  see  his 
estates,  once  in  his  life,  and  I  am  told  that  we  are  bound  on  a 
voyage  to  the  other  side  of  the  world.  God  forbid  that  I  should 
hold  aloof,  on  such  an  occasion." 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  241 

"Thou  art  a  Christian,  Sancho,  and  hast  a  desire  to  aid  in 
tarrying  the  cross  among  the  heathen?" 

"  Seiior,  your  Excellency,  Don  Almirante,  it  matters  little  to 
Sancho  with  what  the  barque  is  laden,  so  that  she  do  not  need 
much  pumping,  and  that  the  garlic  is  good.  If  I  am  not  a  very 
devout  Christian,  it  is  the  fault  .of  them  that  found  me  near  the 
ship-yard  gate,  since  the  church  and  the  font  are  both  within 
call  from  that  very  spot.  I  know  that  Pepe,  here,  is  a  Chris- 
tian, Senor,  for  I  saw  him  in  the  arms  of  the  priest,  and  I 
doubt  not  that  there  are  old  men  at  Moguer  who  csfti  testify  to 
as  much  in  my  behalf.  At  all  hazards,  noble  Admiral,  I  will 
take  on  myself  to  say  that  I  am  neither  Jew,  nor  Mussulman." 

"  Sancho,  thou  hast  that  about  thee,  that  bespeakest  a  skilful 
and  bold  mariner. " 

"  For  both  of  these  qualities,  Senor  Don  Colon,  let  others 
speak.  When  the  gale  cometh,  your  own  eyes  may  judge  of 
the  first ;  and  when  the  caravel  shall  reach  the  edge  of  the  earth, 
whither  some  think  it  is  bound,  there  will  be  a  good  occasion 
to  see  who  can,  and  who  cannot,  look  off  without  trembling." 

"It  is  enough:  I  count  both  thee  and  Pepe  as  among  my 
truest  followers."  As  Columbus  said  this,  he  walked  away,  re- 
suming the  dignified  gravity  that  usually  was  seated  in  his 
countenance,  and  which  so  much  aided  his  authority,  by  im- 
pressing the  minds  of  others  with  respect.  In  a  few  minutes  he 
and  Luis  descended  to  their  cabin. 

"  I  marvel,  Sancho,"  said  Pepe,  as  soon  as  he  and  his  mess- 
mate were  left  alone  on  the  poop,  "that  thou  wilt  venture  to 
use  thy  tongue  so  freely,  even  in  the  presence  of  one  that 
beareth  about  with  him  the  queen's  authority  !  Dost  thou  not 
fear  to  offend  the  admiral  V 

"So  much  for  having  a  wife  and  a  child  !  Canst  thou  not 
make  any  difference  between  them  that  have  had  ancestors  and 
who  have  descendants,  and  one  that  hath  no  other  tie  in  the 
world  than  his  name  ?  The  Senor  Don  Almirante  is  either  an 
exceeding  great  man,  and  chosen  by  Providence  to  open  the 
way  into  the  unknown  seas  of  which  he  speaketh  ;  or  he  is  but  a 


242  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

hungry  Genoese,  that  is  leading  us  he  knoweth  not  whither,  that 
he  may  eat,  and  drink,  and  sleep,  in  honor,  while  we  are  toiling 
at  his  heels,  like  patient  mules  dragging  the  load  that  the  horse 
despiseth.  In  the  one  case,  he  is  too  great  and  exalted  to  heed 
idle  words  ;  and  in  the  other,  what  is  there  too  bad  for  a  Cas- 
tilian  to  tell  him  ?" 

"  Ay,  thou  art  fond  of  calling  thyself  a  Castilian,  in  spite  of 
the  ship-yard  and  the  basket,  and  notwithstanding  Moguer  is 
in  Seville." 

uHarkee»,  Pepe ;  is  not  the  queen  of  Castile  our  mistress? 
And  are  not  subjects — true  and  lawful  subjects,  I  mean,  like 
thee  and  me — are  not  such  subjects  worthy  of  being  the  queen's 
countrymen?  Never  disparage  thyself,  good  Pepe,  for  thou 
wilt  ever  find  the  world  ready  enough  to  do  that  favor  for  thee. 
As  to  this  Genoese,  he  shall  be  either  friend  or  enemy  to  San- 
cho  ;  if  the  first,  I  expect  much  consolation  from  it ;  if  the  last, 
let  him  hunt  for  his  Cathay  till  doomsday,  he  shall  be  never  the 
wiser." 

"  Well,  Sancho,  if  words  can  mar  a  voyage,  or  make  a  voy- 
age, thou  art  a  ready  mariner ;  none  know  how  to  discourse 
better  than  thou." 

Here  the  men  both  rose,  having  completed  their  work,  and 
they  left  the  poop,  descending  among  the  rest  of  the  crew. 
Columbus  had  not  miscalculated  his  aim,  his  words  and  condes- 
cension having  produced  a  most  favorable  effect  on  the  mind  of 
Sancho  Mundo,  for  so  the  man  was  actually  called  ;  and  in  gain- 
ing one  of  as  ready  a  wit  and  loose  a  tongue  for  a  friend,  he 
obtained  an  ally  who  was  not  to  be  despised.  Of  sueh  materials, 
and  with  the  support  of  such  instruments  as  this,  is  success  too 
often  composed ;  it  being  possible  for  the  discovery  of  a  world, 
even,  to  depend  on  the  good  word  of  one  less  qualified  to  in- 
fluence opinions  than  Sancho  Mundo. 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  243 


CHAPTER  XV. 

"  While  you  here  do  snoring  lie, 
Open-ey1d  conspiracy 
His  time  doth  take : 
If  of  life  you  keep  a  care, 
Shake  off  slumber,  and  beware ; 
Awake !  Awake  I" 

Akiel. 

The  wind  continuing  fair,  the  three  vessels  made  good  prog- 
ress in  the  direction  of  the  Canaries;  Sunday,  in  particular, 
proving  a  propitious  day,  the  expedition  making  more  than  one 
hundred  and  twenty  miles  in  the  course  of  the  twenty-four 
hours.  The  wind  still  continued  favorable,  and  on  the  morning 
of  Monday,  the  6th  of  August,  Columbus  was  cheerfully  con- 
versing with  Luis,  and  one  or  two  other  companions  who  were 
standing  near  him  on  the  poop,  when  the  Pinta  was  seen  sud- 
denly to  take  in  her  forward  sails,  and  to  come  up  briskly,  not 
to  say  awkwardly,  to  the  wind.  This  manoeuvre  denoted  some 
accident,  and  the  Santa  Maria  fortunately  having  the  advantage 
of  the  wind,  immediately  edged  away  to  speak  her  consort. 

"How  now,  Senor  Martin  Alonzo,"  hailed  the  admiral,  as 
the  two  caravels  came  near  enough  together  to  speak  each  other. 
"  For  what  reason  hast  thou  so  suddenly  paused  in  thy  course  ?" 

"Fortune  would  have  it  so,  Senor  Don  Christoval,  seeing 
that  the  rudder  of  the  good  caravel  hath  broken  loose,  and  we 
must  fain  secure  it  ere  we  may  again  trust  ourselves  to  the 
breeze." 

A  severe  frown  came  over  the  grave  countenance  of  the  great 
navigator,  and  after  bidding  Martin  Alonzo  do  his  best  to  repair 
the  damage,  he  paced  the  deck,  greatly  disturbed,  fcr  several 
minutes.     Observing  how  much  the  admiral  took  this  accident 


244  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

to  heart,  the  rest  descended  to  the  deck  below,  leaving  Colum- 
bus alone  with  the  pretended  groom  of  the  king's  chamber. 

"  I  trust,  Senor,  this  is  no  serious  injury,  or  one  in  any  way 
likely  to  retard  our  advance,"  said  Luis,  after  manifesting  that 
respect  which  all  near  him  felt  for  the  admiral,  by  a  pause.  "  I 
know  honest  Martin  Alonzo  to  be  a  ready  seaman,  and  should 
think  his  expedients  might  easily  serve  to  get  us  as  far  as  the 
Canaries,  where  greater  damages  can  meet  with  their  remedies." 

"  Thou  say'st  true,  Luis,  and  we  will  hope  for  the  best.  I 
feel  regret  the  sea  is  so  high  that  we  can  offer  no  assistance  to 
the  Pinta,  but  Martin  Alonzo  is,  indeed,  an  expert  mariner,  audi 
on  his  ingenuity  we  must  rely.  My  concern,  however,  hath 
another  and  a  deeper  source  than  the  unloosing  of  this  rudder, 
serious  as  such  an  injury  ever  is  to  a  vessel  at  sea.  Thou  know  st 
that  the  Pinta  hath  been  furnished  to  the  service  of  the  queen, 
under  the  order  claiming  the  forfeited  duty  from  the  delinquents 
of  Palos,  and  sorely  against  the  will  of  the  caravel's  owners 
hath  the  vessel  been  taken.  Now  these  persons,  Gomez  Eascon 
and  Christoval  Quintero,  are  on  board  her,  and,  I  question  not, 
have  designed  this  accident.  Their  artifices  were  practised  long5 
to  our  delay,  before  quitting  the  haven,  and,  it  would  seem,  are 
to  be  continued  to  our  prejudice  here  on  the  open  ocean." 

" By  the  allegiance  I  owe  the  Dona  Isabella!  Senor  Don 
Christoval,  but  I  would  find  a  speedy  cure  for  such  a  treason, 
if  the  office  of  punishment  rested  with  me.  Let  me  jump  into 
the  skiff  and  repair  to  the  Pinta,  where  I  will  tell  these  Masters 
Rascon  and  Quintero,  that  should  their  rudder  ever  dare  to  break 
loose  again,  or  should  any  other  similar  and  untoward  accident 
chance  to  arrive,  the  first  shall  be  hanged  at  the  yard  of  his 
own  caravel,  and  the  last  be  cast  into  the  sea  to  examine  into 
the  state  of  her  bottom,  the  rudder  included." 

"  We  may  not  practice  such  high  authority  without  great 
occasion  and  perfect  certainty  of  guilt.  I  hold  it  to  be  wiser 
to  seek  another  caravel  at  the  Canaries,  for,  by  this  accident,  I 
well  seejsve  shall  not  be  rid  of  the  artifices  of  the  two  owners, 
Until  we  arc  rid  of  their  vessel.     It  will  be  hazardous  to  launch 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 


245 


the  skiff  in  this  sea,  or  I  would  proceed  to  the  Pinta  myself; 
but  as  it  is,  let  us  have  confidence  in  Martin  Alonzo  and  his 
skill." 

Columbus  thus  encouraged  the  people  of  the  Pinta  to  exert 
themselves,  and  in  about  an  hour  or  two,  the  three  vessels  were 
again  making  the  best  of  their  way  toward  the  Canaries.  Not- 
withstanding the  delay,  nearly  ninety  miles  were  made  good  in 
the  course  of  the  day  and  night.  But  the  following  morning 
the  rudder  again  broke  loose,  and,  as  the  damage  was  more  se- 
rious than  in  the  former  instance,  it  was  still  more  difficult  to 
repair.  These  repeated  accidents  gave  the  admiral  great  con- 
cern, for  he  took  them  to  be  so  many  indications  of  the  dis- 
affection of  his  followers.  He  fully  determined,  in  consequence, 
to  get  rid  of  the  Pinta,  if  it  were  possible  to  find  another  suit- 
able vessel  among  the  islands.  As  the  progress  of  the  vessels 
was  much  retarded  by  the  accident,  although  the  wTind  con- 
tinued favorable,  the  expedition  only  got  some  sixty  miles,  this 
day,  nearer  to  its  place  of  destination. 

On  the  following  morning,  the  three  vessels  came  within 
hail  of  each  other  ;  and  a  comparison  of  the  nautical  skill  of  the 
different  navigators,  or  pilots,  as  it  was  then  the  custom  to  style 
them,  took  place,  each  offering  his  opinion  as  to  the  position 
of  the  vessels. 

It  was  not  the  least  of  the  merits  of  Columbus,  that  he  suc- 
ceeded in  his  great  experiment  with  the  imperfect  aid  of  the 
instruments  then  in  use.  The  mariner's  compass,  it  is  true,  had 
been  in  common  service  quite  a  century,  if  not  longer,  though 
its  variations — a  knowledge  of  which  is  scarcely  less  important 
in  long  voyages  than  a  knowledge  of  the  instrument  itself— were 
then  unknown  to  seamen,  who  seldom  ventured  far  enough 
from  the  land  to  note  these  mysteries  of  nature,  and  who,  as  a 
class,  still  relied  almost  as  much  on  the  ordinary  position  of  the 
heavenly  bodies  to  ascertain  their  routes,  as  on  the  nicer  re- 
sults of  calculation.  Columbus,  however,  was  a  striking  ex- 
ception to  this  little-instructed  class,  having  made  himself 
thoroughly  acquainted  with  all  the  learning  of  the  period  that 

n 


216  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

could  be  applied  in  his  profession,  or  which  might  aid  him  m 
effecting  the  great  purpose  for  which  alone  he  now  seemed  to  live. 

As  might  be  expected,  the  comparison  resulted  altogether  in 
the  admiral's  favor,  the  pilots  in  general  being  soon  convinced 
that  he  alone  knew  the  true  position  of  the  vessels,  a  fact 
that  was  soon  unanswerably  determined  by  the  appearance  of 
the  summits  of  the  Canaries,  which  hove  up  out  of  the  ocean, 
in  a  south-easterly  direction,  resembling  well-defined  dark 
clouds  clustering  in  the  horizon.  As  objects  like  these  are  seen 
at  a  great  distance  at  sea,  more  especially  in  a  transparent  at- 
mosphere, and  the  wind  became  light  and  variable,  the  vessels, 
notwithstanding,  were  unable  to  reach  Grand  Canary  until 
Thursday,  the  8th  of  August,  or  nearly  a  week  after  they  had  left 
Palos.  There  they  all  ran  in,  and  anchored  in  the  usual  haven. 
Columbus  immediately  set  about  making  an  inquiry  for  another 
caravel,  but,  proving  unsuccessful,  he  sailed  for  Gomera,  Avhere 
he  believed  it  might  be  easier  to  obtain  the  craft  he  wanted. 
While  the  admiral  was  thus  employed  with  the  Santa  Maria 
and  the  Nina,  Martin  Alonzo  remained  in  port,  being  unable  to 
keep  company  in  the  crippled  condition  of  the  Pinta.  But  no 
suitable  vessel  being  found,  Columbus  reluctantly  returned  to 
Grand  Canary,  and,  after  repairing  the  Pinta,  which  vessel  was 
badly  caulked,  among  the  other  devices  that  had  been  adopted 
to  get  her  freed  from  the  service,  he  sailed  again  for  Gomera, 
from  which  island  he  was  to  take  his  final  departure. 

During  these  several  changes,  a  brooding  discontent  began  to 
increase  among  most  of  the  common  mariners,  while  some  even 
of  a  higher  class,  were  not  altogether  free  from  the  most  melan- 
choly .apprehensions  for  the  future.  While  passing  from  Grand 
Canary  to  Gomera,  with  all  his  vessels,  Columbus  was  again  at  his 
post,  with  Luis  and  his  usual  companions  near  him,  when  the 
admiral's  attention  was  drawn  to  a  conversation  that  took  place 
between  a  group  of  the  men,  who  had  collected  near  the  main- 
mast. It  was  night,  and  there  being  little  wind,  the  voices 
of  the  excited  disputants  reached  further  than  they  themselves 
were  aware. 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  247 

"I  tell  thee,  Pepe,"  said  the  most  vociferous  ard  most 
earnest  of  the  speakers,  "  that  the  night  is  not  darker  than 
the  future  of  this  crew.  Look  to  the  west,  and  what  dost  see 
there  ?  "Who  hath  ever  heard  of  land,  after  he  hath  quitted  the 
Azores  ;  and  who  is  so  ignorant  as  not  to  know  that  Providence 
hath  placed  water  around  all  the  continents,  with  a  few  islands 
as  stopping-places  for  mariners,  and  spread  the  broad  ocean  be- 
yond, with  an  intention  to  rebuke  an  over-eager  curiosity  to  pry 
into  matters  that  savor  more  of  miracles  than  of  common 
worldly  things?" 

"  This  is  well,  Pero,"  answered  Pepe;  "  but  I  know  that 
Monica  thinks  the  admiral  is  sent  of  God,  and  that  we  may 
look  forward  to  great  discoveries,  through  his  means ;  and 
most  especially  to  the  spreading  of  religion  amqng  the  hea- 
thens." 

"  Ay,  thy  Monica  should  have  been  in  Dona  Isabella's  seat, 
so  learned  and  positive  is  she  in  all  matters,  whether  touch- 
ing her  own  woman's  duties,  or  thine  own.  She  is  thy 
queen,  Pepe,  as  all  in  Moguer  will  swear ;  and  there  are  some 
who  say  she  would  gladly  govern  the  port,  as  she  governeth 
thee." 

"  Say  naught  against  the  mother  of  my  child,  Pero,"  inter- 
rupted Pepe,  angrily.  "  I  can  bear  thy  idle  words  against 
myself,  but  he  that  speaketh  ill  of  Monica  will  have  a  dangerous 
enemy." 

"  Thou  art  bold  of  speech,  Pero,  when  away  a  hundred 
leagues  from  thine  own  better  nine-tenths,"  put  in  a  voice  that 
Columbus  and  Luis  both  knew,  on  the  instant,  to  belong  to 
Sancho  Mundo,  "  and  art  bold  enough  to  jeer  Pepe  touching 
Monica,  when  we  all  well  know  who  commandeth  in  a  certain 
cabin,  where  thou  art  as  meek  as  a  hooked  dolphin,  whatever 
thou  may'st  be  here.  But,  enough  of  thy  folly  about  women  , 
let  us  reason  upon  our  knowledge  as  mariners,  if  thou  wilt ; 
instead  of  asking  questions  of  one  like  Pepe,  who  is  too 
young  to  have  had  much  experience,  I  offer  myself  as  thy 
catechist." 


248  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

"  What  liast  thou,  then,  to  say  about  this  unknown  land  that 
lieth  beyond  the  great  ocean,  where  man  hath  never  been,  or  is 
at  all  likely  to  go,  with  followers  such  as  these  ?" 

"I  have  this  to  say,  silly  and  idle-tongued  Pero — that  the 
time  was  when  even  the  Canaries  were  unknown  ;  when  mari- 
ners did  not  dare  to  pass  the  straits,  and  when  the  Portuguese 
knew  nothing  of  their  mines  and  Guinea,  lands  that  I  myself 
have  visited,  and  where  the  noble  Don  Christoval  hath  also 
been,  as  I  know  on  the  testimony  of  mine  own  eyes." 

"  And  what  hath  Guinea,  or  what  have  the  mines  of  the 
Portuguese  to  do  with  this  western  voyage  ?  All  know  that 
there  is  a  country  called  Africa ;  and  what  is  there  surprising 
that  mariners  should  reach  a  land  that  is  known  to  exist ;  but 
who  knoweth  that  the  ocean  hath  other  continents,  any  more 
than  that  the  heavens  have  other  earths  ?" 

"  This  is  well,  Pero,"  observed  an  attentive  by-stander ; 
"and  Sancho  will  have  to  drain  his  wits  to  answer  it." 

"  It  is  well  for  those  who  wag  their  tongues,  like  women, 
without  thought  of  what  they  say,"  coolly  returned  Sancho, 
"  but  will  have  little  weight  with  Dona  Isabella,  or  Don  Al- 
mirante.  Harkee,  Pero,  thou  art  like  one  that  hath  trodden 
the  path  between  Palos  and  Moguer  so  often,  that  thou  fanciest 
there  is  no  road  to  Seville  or  Granada.  There  must  be  a  be- 
ginning to  all  things  ;  and  this  voyage  is,  out  of  doubt,  the 
beginning  of  voyages  to  Cathay.  We  go  west,  instead  of  east, 
because  it  is  the  shorter  way ;  and  because,  moreover,  it  is  the 
only  way  for  a  caravel.  Now,  answer  me,  messmate  ;  is  it  pos- 
sible for  a  craft,  let  her  size  or  rig  be  what  it  may,  to  pass  over 
the  hills  and  valleys  of  a  continent — I  mean  under  her  canvas, 
and  by  fair  sailing  ?" 

Sancho  waited  for  a  reply,  and  received  a  common  and  com- 
plete admission  of  the  impossibility  of  the  thing. 

"  Then  cast  your  eyes  at  the  admiral's  chart,  in  the  morning, 
as  he  keepeth  it  spread  before  him  on  the  poop,  yonder,  and 
you  will  see  that  there  is  land  from  one  pole  to  the  other,  on 
each  side  of  the  Atlantic,  thereby  rendering  navigation  impos- 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  249 

sible,  in  any  other  direction  than  this  we  are  now  taking.     The 
notion  of  Pero,  therefore,  runs  in  the  teeth  of- nature." 

"This  is  so  true,  Pero,"  exclaimed  another,  the  rest  assent- 
ing, "  that  thy  mouth  ought  to  be  shut." 

But  Pero  had  a  mouth  that  was  not  very  easily  closed  ;  and 
it  is  probable  that  his  answer  would  have  been  to  the  full  as 
acute  and  irrefutable  as  that  of  Sancho,  had  not  a  common  ex- 
clamation of  alarm  and  horror  burst  from  all  around  him.  The 
night  was  sufficiently  clear  to  permit  the  gloomy  outlines  of  the 
Peak  of  Teneriffe  to  be  distinctly  visible,  even  at  some  dis- 
tance ;  and,  just  at  that  moment,  flashes  of  flame  shot  upward 
from  its  pointed  summit,  illuminating,  at  instants,  the  huge 
pile,  and  then  leaving  it  in  shadowy  darkness,  an  object  of 
mystery  and  terror.  Many  of  the  seamen  dropped  on  their 
knees  and  began  to  tell  their  beads,  while  all,  as  it  might  be 
instinctively,  crossed  themselves.  Next  arose  a  general  mur- 
mur ;  and  in  a  few  minutes,  the  men  who  slept  were  awoke, 
and  appeared  among  their  fellows,  awe-struck  and  astounded 
spectators  of  the  phenomenon.  It  was  soon  settled  that  the 
attention  of  the  admiral  should  be  drawn  to  this  strange  event, 
and  Pero  was  selected  for  the  spokesman. 

All  this  time,  Columbus  and  his  companions  remained  on  the 
poop,  and,  as  might  have  been  expected,  this  unlooked-for 
change  in  the  appearance  of  the  Peak  had  not  escaped  their 
attention.  Too  enlightened  to  be  alarmed  by  it,  they  were 
watching  the  workings  of  the  mountain,  when  Pero,  accompa- 
nied by  nearly  every  sailor  in  the  vessel,  appeared  on  the  quarter- 
deck. Silence  having  been  obtained,  Pero  opened  the  subject  of 
his  mission  with  a  zeal  that  was  not  a  little  stimulated  by  his  fears. 

"  Senor  Almirante,"  he  commenced,  "  we  have  come  to  pray 
your  Excellency  to  look  at  the  summit  of  the  Island  of  Tene- 
riffe, where  we  all  think  we  see  a  solemn  warning  against 
persevering  in  sailing  into  the  unknown  Atlantic.  It  is  truly 
time  for  men  to  remember  their  weakness,  and  how  much  they 
owe  to  the  goodness  of  God,  when  even  the  mountains  vomit 
flames  and  smoke !" 


2f>0  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

"  Have  any  here  ever  navigated  the  Mediterranean,  or  visited 
the  island  of  which  Don  Ferdinand,  the  honored  consort  of  our 
lady  Jthe  queen,  is  master  V  demanded  Columbus,  calmly. 

"  Senor  Don  Almirante,"  hastily  answered  Sancho,  "  I  have 
done  so,  unworthy  as  I  may  seem  to  have  enjoyed  that  advan- 
tage. And  I  have  seen  Cyprus,  and  Alexandria,  and  even 
Stamboul,  the  residence  of  the  Great  Turk." 

"  Well,  then,  thou  may'st  have  also  seen  iEtna,  another 
mountain  which  continueth  to  throw  up  those  flames,  in  the 
midst  of  a  nature  and  a  scene  on  which  Providence  would  seem 
to  have  smiled  with  unusual  benignity,  instead  of  angrily  frown- 
ing, as  ye  seem  to  imagine." 

Columbus  then  proceeded  to  give  his  people  an  explanation 
of  the  causes  of  volcanoes,  referring  to  the  gentlemen  around 
him  to  corroborate  the  fidelity  of  his  statements.  He  told  them 
that  he  looked  upon  this  little  eruption  as  merely  a  natural 
occurrence  ;  or,  if  he  saw  any  omen  at  all  in  the  event,  it  was 
propitious  rather  than  otherwise  ;  Providence  seeming  disposed 
to  light  them  on  their  way.  Luis  and  the  rest  next  descended 
among  the  crew,  where  they  used  their  reasoning  powers  in 
quieting  an  alarm  that,  at  first,  had  threatened  to  be  serious. 
For  the  moment  they  were  successful,  or  perhaps  it  would  be 
better  to  say  that  they  succeeded  completely,  so  far  as  the 
phenomenon  of  the  volcano  was  concerned,  and  this  less  by  the 
arguments  of  the  more  intelligent  of  the  officers,  than  by  means 
of  the  testimony  of  Sancho,  and  one  or  two  others  of  the  com- 
mon men,  who  had  seen  similar  scenes  elsewhere.  With  diffi- 
culties like  these  had  the  great  navigator  to  contend,  even  after 
he  had  passed  years  in  solicitations  to  obtain  the  limited  means 
which  had  been  finally  granted,  in  order  to  effect  one  of  the 
sublimest  achievements  that  had  yet  crowned  the  enterprise  of 
man  ! 

The  vessels  reached  Gomera  on  the  2d  of  September,  where 
they  remained  several  days,  in  order  to  complete  their  repairs, 
and  to  finish  taking  in  their  supplies,  ere  they  finally  left  the 
civilized  abodes  of  man,  and  what  might  then  be  deemed  the 


MEROat)ES      OF      CASTILE.  251 

limits  of  the  known  earth.  The  arrival  of  such  an  expedition, 
in  an  age  when  the  means  of  communication  were  so  few  that 
events  were  generally  their  own  announcers,  had  produced  a 
strong  sensation  among  the  inhabitants  of  the  different  islands 
visited  by  the  adventurers.  Columbus  was  held  in  high  honor 
among  them,  not  only  on  account  of  the  commission  he  had 
received  from  the  two  sovereigns,  but  on  account  of  the  magni- 
tude and  the  romantic  character  of  his  undertaking. 

There  existed  a  common  belief  among  all  the  adjacent  is- 
lands, including  Madeira,  the  Azores,  and  the  Canaries,  that 
land  lay  to  the  westward  ;  their  inhabitants  living  under  a  sin- 
gular delusion  in  this  particular,  which  the  admiral  had  an 
occasion  to  detect,  during  his  second  visit  to  Gomera.  Among 
the  most  distinguished  persons  who  were  then  on  the  island, 
was  Dona  Inez  Peraza,  the  mother  of  the  Count  of  Gomera. 
She  was  attended  by  a  crowd  of  persons,  not  only  belonging  to 
her  own,  but.who  had  come  from  other  islands  to  do  her  honor. 
She  entertained  the  admiral  in  a  manner  suited  to  his  high 
rank,  admitting  to  her  society  such  of  the  adventurers  as 
Columbus  saw  fit  to  point  out  as  worthy  of  the  honor.  Of 
course  the  pretended  Pedro  de  Munos,  or  Pero  Gutierrez,  as 
he  was  now  indifferently  termed,  was  of  the  number ;  as,  indeed, 
were  most  of  those  who  might  be  deemed  any  way  suited  to  so 
high  and  polished  a  society. 

"I  rejoice,  Don  Christopher,"  said  Doiia  Inez  Peraza,  on 
this  occasion,  "  that  their  Highnesses  have  at  length  yielded  to 
your  desire  to  solve  this  great  problem,  not  only  on  account  of 
our  Holy  Church,  which,  as  you  say,  hath  so  deep  an  inter- 
est in  your  success,  and  the  honor  of  the  two  sovereigns,  and 
the  welfare  of  Spain,  and  all  the  other  great  considerations 
that  we  have  so  freely  touched  upon  in  our  discourse  already, 
but  on  account  of  the  worthy  inhabitants  of  the  Fortunate  Is- 
lands, who  have  not  only  many  traditions  touching  land  in  the 
west,  but  most  of  whim  believe  that  they  have  more  than 
once  seen  it,  in  that  quarter,  in  the  course  of  their  lives. " 

"I  have  heard  of  this,  noble    lady,  and  would  be  grateful 


252  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

to  have  the  account  from  the  mouths  of  eye-witnesses,  now  we 
are  here,  together,  conversing  freely  concerning  that  which  is 
of  so  much  interest  to  us  all." 

"Then,  Senor,  I  will  entreat  this  worthy  cavalier,  who  is 
every  way  capable  of  doing  the  subject  justice,  to  be  spokesman 
for  us,  and  to  let  you  know  what  we  all  believe  in  these  islands, 
and  what  so  many  of  us  fancy  we  have  seen.  Acquaint  the 
admiral,  Senor  Dama,  I  pray  thee,  of  the  singular  yearly 
view  that  we  get  of  unknown  land  lying  afar  off,  in  the  At- 
lantic." 

"Most  readily,  Dona  Inez,  and  all  the  more  so  at  your  gra- 
cious bidding,"  returned  the  person  addressed,  who  disposed 
himself  to  tell  the  story,  with  a  readiness  that  the  lovers  of  the 
wonderful  are  apt  to  betray  when  a  fitting  opportunity  offers  to 
indulge  a  favorite  propensity.  "The  illustrious  admiral  hath 
probably  heard  of  the  island  of  St.  Brandan,  that  lieth  some 
eighty  or  a  hundred  leagues  to  the  westward  of  Ferro,  and 
which  hath  been  so  often  seen,  but  which  no  navigator  hath  yet 
been  able  to  reach,  in  our  days  at  least  ?" 

"  I  have  often  heard  of  this  fabled  spot,  Senor,"  the  admiral 
gravely  replied ;  "  but  pardon  me  if  I  say  that  the  land  never 
yet  existed,  which  a  mariner  hath  seen  and  yet  a  mariner  hath 
not  reached." 

"Nay,  noble  admiral,"  interrupted  a  dozen  eager  voices, 
among  which  that  of  the  lady,  herself,  was  very  distinctly  audi- 
ble, "  that  it  hath  been  seen  most  here  know ;  and  that  it  hath 
never  been  reached,  is  a  fact  to  which  more  than  one  disap- 
pointed pilot  can  testify." 

"  That  which  we  have  seen,  we  know;  and  that  which  we 
know,  we  can  describe,"  returned  Columbus,  steadily.  "Let 
any  man  tell  me  in  what  meridian,  or  on  what  parallel  this  St. 
Brandan,  or  St.  Barandon,  lieth,  and  a  week  shall  make  me  also 
certain  of  its  existence." 

"I  know  little  of  meridians  or  parallels,  Don  Christopher," 
said  the  Senor  Dama,  "  but  I  have  some  ideas  of  visible  things. 
This  island  have  I  often  seen,  more  or  less  plainly  at  different 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  253 

times ;  and  that,  too,  under  the  serenest  skies,  and  at  occasions 
when  it  was  not  possible  greatly  to  mistake  either  its  form  or 
its  dimensions.  Once  I  remember  to  have  seen  the  sun  set 
behind  one  of  its  heights." 

"  This  is  plain  evidence,  and  such  as  a  navigator  should  re- 
spect ;  and  yet  do  I  take  what  you  imagine  yourself  to  have 
seen,  Senor,  to  be  some  illusion  of  the  atmosphere." 

"  Impossible  ! — impossible  !"  was  said,  or  echoed,  by  a  dozen 
voices.  "  Hundreds  yearly  witness  the  appearance  of  St.  Bran- 
dan,  and  its  equally  sudden  and  mysterious  disappearance." 

"  Therein,  noble  lady  and  generous  cavalier,  lieth  the  error 
into  which  ye  have  fallen.  Ye  see  the  Peak  the  year  round  ; 
and  he  who  will  cruise  a  hundred  miles,  north  or  south,  east  or 
west,  of  it,  will  continue  to  see  it,  the  year  round,  except  on 
such  days  as  the  state  of  the  atmosphere  may  forbid.  The 
land  which  God  hath  created  stationary,  will  be  certain  to 
remain  stationary,  until  disturbed  by  some  great  convulsion 
that  cometh  equally  of  his  providence  and  his  laws." 

"All  this  may  be  true,  Senor;  doubtless  it  is  true;  but 
every  "rule  hath  its  exceptions.  You  will  not  deny  that  God 
ruleth  the  world  mysteriously,  and  that  his  ends  are  not  always 
visible  to  human  eyes.  Else,  why  hath  the  Moor  so  long  been 
permitted  to  rule  in  Spain  ?  why  hath  the  Infidel,  at  this  mo- 
ment, possession  of  the  Holy  Sepulchre  ?  why  have  the  sov- 
ereigns been  so  long  deaf  to  your  own  well-grounded  wishes 
and  entreaties  to  be  permitted  to  carry  their  banners,  in 
company  with  the  cross,  to  Cathay,  whither  you  are  now 
bound  ?  Who  knoweth  that  these  appearances  of  St.  Brandan 
may  not  be  given  as  signs  to  encourage  one  like  yourself,  bent 
on  still  greater  ends  than  even  reaching  its  shores?" 

Columbus  was  an  enthusiast ;  but  his  was  an  enthusiasm  that 
was  seated  in  his  reverence  for  the  acknowledged  mysteries  of 
religion,  which  sought  no  other  support  from  things  incompre- 
hensible, than  might  reasonably  be  thought  to  belong  to  the 
exercise  of  infallible  wisdom,  and  which  manifested  a  proper 
reverence  for  a  Divine  Power.     Like  most   of  that  period,  he 


254  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

believed  in  modern  miracles  ;  and  his  dependence  on  the  direct 
worldly  efficacy  of  votive  offerings,  penances,  and  prayers,  was 
such  as  marked  the  age  in  general,  and  his  calling  in  particular. 
Still,  his  masculine  understanding  rejected  the  belief  of  vulgar 
prodigies ;  and  while  he  implicitly  thought  himself  set  apart 
and  selected  for  the  great  work  before  him,  he  was  not  disposed 
to  credit  that  an  airy  exhibition  of  an  island  was  placed  in  the 
west  to  tempt  mariners  to  follow  its  shadowy  outline  to  the 
more  distant  regions  of  Cathay. 

"  That  I  feel  the  assurance  of  the  Providence  of  God  having 
selected  me  as  the  humble  instrument  of  connecting  Europe 
with  Asia,  by  means  of  a  direct  voyage  by  sea,  is  certain," 
returned  the  navigator,  gravely,  though  his  eye  lighted  with  its 
latent  enthusiasm  ;  "  but  I  am  far  from  indulging  in  the  weak- 
ness of  thinking  that  direct  miraculous  agencies  are  to  be 
used  to  guide  me  on  my  way.  It  is  more  in  conformity  to  the 
practice  of  divine  wisdom,  and  certainly  more  grateful  to  my 
own  self-love,  that  the  means  employed  are  such  as  a  discreet 
pilot,  and  the  most  experienced  philosophers,  might  feel  proud 
in  finding  themselves  selected  to  display.  My  thoughts  have 
first  been  turned  to  the  contemplation  of  this  subject;  then  hath 
my  reason  been  enlightened  by  a  due  course  of  study  and  re- 
flection, and  science  hath  aided  in  producing  the  conviction  nec- 
essary to  impel  myself  to  proceed,  and  to  enable  me  to  induce 
others  to  join  in  this  enterprise." 

"  And  do  all  your  followers,  noble  admiral,  act  under  the 
same  guidance?"  demanded  the  Dona  Inez,  glancing  at  Luis" 
whose  manly  graces,  and  martial  aspect,  had  found  favor  in  the 
eyes  of  most  of  the  ladies  of  the  island.  "Is  the  Senor 
Gutierrez  equally  enlightened  in  this  manner?  and  hath  he, 
too,  devoted  his  nights  to  study,  in  order  that  the  cross  may  be 
carried  to  the  heathen,  and  Castile  and  Cathay  may  be  more 
closely  united  ?" 

"The  Senor  Gutierrez  is  a  willing  adventurer,  Senora,  but  he 
must  be  the  expounder  of  his  own  motives." 

"  Then  we  will  call  on  the  cavalier,  himself,  for  an  answer. 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  255 

These  ladies  feel  a  desire  to  know  what  may  have  impelled  one 
who  would  be  certain  to  succeed  at  the  court  of  Dona  Isabella, 
and  in  the  Moorish  wars,  to  join  in  such  an  expedition." 

"  The  Moorish  wars  are  ended,  Senora,"  replied  Luis,  smil- 
ing ;  "  and  Dona  Isabella,  and  all  the  ladies  of  her  court, 
most  favor  the  youths  who  show  a  manly  disposition  to  serve 
the  interests,  and  to  advance  the  honor  of  Castile,  I  know 
very  little  of  philosophy,  and  have  still  smaller  pretensions  to 
the  learning  of  churchmen ;  but  I  think  I  see  Cathay  before 
me,  shining  like  a  brilliant  star  in  the  heavens,  and  am  willing 
to  adventure  body  and  soul  in  its  search." 

Many  pretty  exclamations  of  admiration  broke  from  the  circle 
of  fair  listeners  ;  it  being  most  easy  for  spirit  to  gain  applause, 
when  it  is  recommended  by  high  personal  advantages,  and 
comes  from  the  young  and  favored.  That  Columbus,  a 
weather-worn  veteran  of  the  ocean,  should  see  fit  to  risk  a  life 
that  was  already  drawing  near  its  close,  in  a  rash  attempt  to 
pry  into  the  mysteries  of  the  Atlantic,  seemed  neither  so  com- 
mendable, nor  so  daring,  but  many  discovered  high  qualities  in 
the  character  of  one  who  was  just  entering  on  his  career,  and 
that  under  auspices  apparently  so  flattering,  and  who  threw  all 
his  hopes  on  the  uncertain  chances  of  success  in  a  scheme  so 
unusual.  Luis  was  human,  and  he  was  in  the  full  enjoyment  of 
the  admiration  his  enterprise  had  evidently  awakened  among  so 
many  sensitive  young  creatures,  when  Dona  Inez  most  inoppor- 
tunely interposed  to  interrupt  his  happiness,  and  to  wTound  his 
self-esteem. 

"  This  is  having  more  honorable  views  than  my  letters  from 
Seville  attribute  to  one  youth,  -who  belongeth  to  the  proudest 
of  our  Castilian  houses,  and  whose  titles  alone  should  invite 
him  to  add  new  lustre  to  a  name  that  hath  so  long  been  the 
Spanish  boast,"  resumed  the  Senora  Peraza.  "  The  reports 
speak  of  his  desire  to  rove,  but  in  a  manner  unworthy  of  his 
rank ;  and  that,  too,  in  a  way  to  serve  neither  the  sovereigns, 
bis  country,  nor  himself." 

"  And  who  may  this  misguided  youth  be,  Senora  ?"  eagerly 


256  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

inquired  Luis,  too  much  elated  by  the  admiration  he  had  just 
excited  to  anticipate  the  answer.  "  A  cavalier  thus  spoken  of, 
needeth  to  be  warned  of  his  reputation,  that  he  may  be  stimu- 
lated to  attempt  better  things.' ' 

"  His  name  is  no  secret,  since  the  court  speaketh  openly  of 
his  singular  and  ill-judged  career ;  and  it  is  said  that  even  his 
love  hath  been  thwarted  in  consequence.  I  mean  a  cavalier  of 
no  less  lineage  and  name  than  Don  Luis  de  Bobadilla,  the  Count 
ofLlera." 

It  is  said  that  listeners  seldom  hear  good  of  themselves,  and 
Luis  was  now  fated  to  verify  the  truth  of  the  axiom.  He  felt 
the  blood  rushing  to  his  face,  and  it  required  a  strong  effort  at 
self-command  to  prevent  him  from  breaking  out  in  exclamations, 
that  would  probably  have  contained  invocations  of  half  the 
patron  saints  he  had  ever  heard  of,  had  he  not  happily  suc- 
ceeded in  controlling  the  sudden  impulse.  Gulping  the  words 
he  had  been  on  the  point  of  uttering,  he  looked  round,  with  an 
air  of  defiance,  as  if  seeking  the  countenance  of  some  man  who 
might  dare  even  to  smile  at  what  had  been  said.  Luckily,  at 
that  moment,  Columbus  had  drawn  all  of  the  males  present 
around  himself,  in  warm  discussion  of  the  probable  existence  of 
the  island  of  St.  Brandan  ;  and  Luis  nowhere  met  a  smile,  with 
which  he  could  conveniently  quarrel,  that  had  a  setting  of  beard 
to  render  it  hostile.  Fortunately,  the  gentle  impulses  that  are 
apt  to  influence  a  youthful  female,  induced  one  of  Dona  Inez's 
fair  companions  to  speak,  and  that  in  a  way  greatly  to  relieve 
the  feelings  of  our  hero. 

"True,  Senora,"  rejoined  the  pretty  young  advocate,  the 
first  tones  of  whose  voice  had  an  effect  to  calm  the  tempest  that 
was  rising  in  the  bosom  of  the  young  man  ;  "true  Senora,  it 
is  said  that  Don  Luis  is  a  wanderer,  and  one  of  unsettled  tastes 
and  habits,  but  it  is  also  said  he  hath  a  most  excellent  heart,  is 
generous  as  the  dews  of  heaven  themselves,  and  carrieth  the 
very  best  lance  of  Castile,  as  he  is  also  like  to  carry  off  the 
fairest  maiden." 

"  It  is  vain,  Senor  de  Muiios,  for  churchmen  to  preach,  and 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  257 

parents  to  frown,"  said  Dona  Inez,  smiling,  "  while  the  beauti- 
ful and  young  will  prize  courage,  and  deeds  in  arms,  and  an 
open  hand,  before  the  more  homely  virtues  commended  by  our 
holy  religion,  and  so  zealously  inculcated  by  its  servants.  The 
unhorsing  of  a  knight  or  two  in  the  tourneys,  and  the  rallying 
a  broken  squadron  under  a  charge  of  the  Infidel,  counteth  far 
more  than  years  of  sobriety,  and  weeks  of  penance  and  prayer." 

u  How  know  we  that  the  cavalier  you  mention,  Senora,  may 
not  have  his  weeks  of  penance  and  his  hours  of  prayer?"  an- 
swered Luis,  who  had  now  found  his  voice.  "  Should  he  be 
so  fortunate  as  to  enjoy  a  conscientious  religious  adviser,  he 
can  scarce  escape  both,  prayer  being  so  often  ordered  in  the 
way  of  penance.  He  seemeth,  indeed,  to  be  a  miserable  dog, 
and  I  wonder  not  that  his  mistress  holdeth  him  cheap.  Is  the 
name  of  the  lady,  also,  given  in  your  letter  ?" 

"  It  is.  She  is  the  Dona  Maria  de  las  Mercedes  de  Valverde, 
nearly  allied  to  the  Guzmans  and  the  other  great  houses,  and 
one  of  the  fairest  maidens  of  Spain." 

"That  is  she!"  exclaimed  Luis;  "and  one  of  the  most  vir- 
tuous, as  well  as  fair,  and  wise  as  virtuous  !" 

"  How  now,  Seiior,  is  it  possible  that  you  can  have  sufficient 
knowledge  of  one  so  situated,  as  to  speak  thus  positively  of  her 
qualities,  as  well  as  of  her  appearance  ?" 

"  Her  beauty  I  have  seen,  and  of  her  excellence  one  may 
speak  by  report.  But  doth  your  correspondent,  Senora,  say 
aught  of  what  hath  become  of  the  graceless  lover?" 

"  It  is  rumored  that  he  hath  again  quitted  Spain,  and,  as  is 
supposed,  under  the  grave  displeasure  of  the  sovereigns,  since 
it  hath  been  remarked  that  the  queen  now  never  nameth  him. 
None  know  the  road  he  hath  taken,  but  there  is  little  doubt 
that  he  is  again  roaming  the  seas,  as  usual,  in  quest  of  low  ad- 
ventures among  the  ports  of  the  east." 

The  conversation  now  changed,  and  soon  after  the  admiral 
and  his  attendants  repaired  to  their  different  vessels. 

"  Of  a  verity,  Sefior  Don  Christoval,"  said  Luis,  as  he  walked 
alone  with  the  great  navigator  toward  the  shore,  "one  little 


258  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

knoweth  wlien  he  is  acquiring  fame,  and  when  not.  Though 
but  an  indifferent  mariner,  and  no  pilot,  I  find  my  exploits  on 
the  ocean  are  well  bruited  abroad !  If  your  Excellency  but  gain 
half  the  reputation  I  already  enjoy,  by  this  present  expedition, 
you  will  have  reason  to  believe  that  your  name  will  not  be  for- 
gotten by  posterity." 

"  It  is  a  tribute  the  great  pay  for  their  elevation,  Luis,"  re- 
turned the  admiral,  "  that  all  their  acts  are  commented  on,  and 
that  they  can  do  little  that  may  be  concealed  from  observation, 
or  escape  remarks." 

"It  would  be  as  well,  Senor  Almirante,  to  throw  into  the 
scales,  at  once,  calumnies,  and  lies,  and  uncharitableness,  for  all 
these  are  to  be  added  to  the  list.  Is  it  not  wonderful,  that  a 
young  man  cannot  visit  a  few  foreign  lands,  in  order  to  increase 
his  knowledge  and  improve  his  parts,  but  all  the  gossips  of  Cas- 
tile should  fill  their  letters  to  the  gossips  of  the  Canaries,  with 
passages  touching  his  movements  and  demerits  ?  By  the  Mar- 
tyrs of  the  East !  if  I  were  Queen  of  Castile,  there  should  be  a 
law  against  writing  of  others'  movements,  and  I  do  not  know, 
but  a  law  against  women's  writing  letters  at  all !" 

"  In  which  case,  Senor  de  Munos,  thou  wouldst  never  possess 
the  satisfaction  of  receiving  a  missive  from  the  fairest  hand  in 
Castile." 

"  I  mean  a  woman's  writing  to  a  woman,  Don  Christopher. 
As  to  letters  from  noble  maidens  intended  to  cheer  the  hearts 
and  animate  the  deeds  of  cavaliers  who  adore  them,  they  are 
useful,  out  of  doubt,  and  the  saints  be  deaf  to  the  miscreant 
who  would  forbid  or  intercept  them  !  No,  Senor,  I  trust  that 
travelling  hath  at  least  made  me  liberal,  by  raising  me  above 
the  narrow  prejudices  of  provinces  and  cities,  and  I  am  far  from 
wishing  to  put  an  end  to  letters  from  mistresses  to  their  knights, 
or  from  parents  to  their  children,  or  even  from  wives  to  their 
husbands ;  but,  as  for  the  letters  of  a  gossip  to  a  gossip,  by 
your  leave,  Senor  Almirante,  I  detest  them  just  as  much  as  the 
Eather  of  Sin  detests  this  expedition  of  ours !" 

"An  expedition,  certainly,  that  he  hath  no  great  reason  to 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  259 

love,"  answered.  Columbus,  smiling;  "since  it  will  be  followed 
by  the  light  of  revelation  and  the  triumph  of  the  cross.  But 
what  is  thy  will,  friend,  that  thou  seemest  in  waiting  for  me,  to 
disburden  thyself  of  something  ?  Thy  name  is  Sancho  Mundo, 
if  I  remember  thy  countenance?" 

"  Senor  Don  Almirante,  your  memory  hath  not  mistaken," 
returned  the  person  addressed  ;  "  I  am  Sancho  Mundo,  as  youi 
Excellency  saith,  sometimes  called  Sancho  of  the  Ship- Yard 
Gate.  I  desire  to  say  a  few  words  concerning  the  fate  of  our 
voyage,  whenever  it  shall  suit  you,  noble  Senor,  to  hear  me 
where  there  are  no  ears  present  that  you  distrust." 

"Thou  may'st  speak  freely  now ;  this  cavalier  being  my  con- 
fidant and  secretary." 

"It  is  not  necessary  that  I  should  tell  a  great  pilot,  like  your 
Excellency,  who  is  King  of  Portugal,  or  what  the  mariners  of 
Lisbon  have  been  about  these  many  years,  since  you  know  all 
better  than  myself.  Therefore  I  will  just  add,  that  they  are  dis- 
covering all  the  unknown  lands  they  can,  for  themselves,  and 
preventing  others,  as  much  as  in  them  lies,  from  doing  the  same 
thing." 

"  Don  John  of  Portugal  is  an  enlightened  prince,  fellow,  and 
thou  wouldst  do  well  to  respect  his  character  and  rank.  His 
Highness  is  a  liberal  sovereign,  and  hath  sent  many  noble  expe- 
ditions forth  from  his  harbor." 

"That  he  hath,  Senor,  and  this  last  is  not  the  least  in  its  de- 
signs and  intentions,"  answered  Sancho,  turning  a  look  of 
irony  toward  the  admiral,  that  showed  the  fellow  had  more 
in  reserve  than  he  cared  to  divulge  without  some  wheedling. 
"  No  one  doubts  Don  John's  willingness  to  send  forth  expe- 
ditions." 

"  Thou  hast  heard  some  intelligence,  Sancho,  that  it  is  prop- 
er I  should  know !  Speak  freely,  and  rely  on  my  repaying 
any  service  of  this  sort  to  the  full  extent  of  its  deservings." 

"If  your  Excellency  will  have  patience  to  hear  me,  I  will 
give  the  whole  story,  with  all  minuteness  and  particularity,  and 
that  in  a  way  to  leave  no   part  untold,  and  all  parts  to  be   as 


260  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

easily  understood  as  heart  can  wish,  or  a  priest  in  the  confes- 
sonal  could  desire." 

"  Speak ;  no  one  will  interrupt  thee.  As  thou  art  frank,  so 
will  be  thy  reward." 

"Wall,  then,  Senor  Don  Almirante,  you  must  know  that 
about  eleven  years  since,  I  made  a  voyage  from  Palos  to  Sicily, 
in  a  caravel  belonging  to  the  Pinzons,  here  ;  not  to  Martin 
Alonzo,  who  commandeth  the  Pinta,  under  your  Excellency's 
order  ,  but  to  a  kinsman  of  his  late  father's,  who  caused  better 
craft  to  be  constructed  than  we  are  apt  to  get  in  these  days  of 
hurry,  and  rotten  cordage,  and  careless  caulking,  to  say  nothing 
of  the  manner  in  which  the  canvas  is" — 

"  Nay,  good  Sancho,"  interrupted  the  impatient  Luis,  who 
was  yet  smarting  under  the  remarks  of  Dona  Inez's  correspond- 
ent— "  thou  forgettest  night  is  near,  and  that  the  boat  is  wait- 
ing for  the  admiral." 

"How  should  I  forget  that,  Senor,  when  I  can  see  the  sun  just 
dipping  into  the  water,  and  I  belong  to  the  boat  myself,  having 
left  it  in  order  to  tell  the  noble  admiral  what  I  have  to  say !" 

"Permit  the  man  to  relate  his  story  in  his  own  manner, 
Senor  Pedro,  I  pray  thee,"  put  in  Columbus.  "Naught  is 
gained  by  putting  a  seamen  out  in  his  reckoning." 

"  No,  your  Excellency,  or  in  kicking  with  a  mule.  And  so, 
as  I  was  saying,  I  went  that  voyage  to  Sicily,  and  had  for  a 
messmate  one  Jose  Gordo,  a  Portuguese  by  birth,  but  a  man 
who  liked  the  wines  of  Spain  better  than  the  puckering  liquors 
of  his  own  country,  and  so  sailed  much  in  Spanish  craft.  I 
never  well  knew,  notwithstanding,  whether  Jose  was,  in  heart, 
most  of  a  Portuguese,  or  a  Spaniard,  though  he  was  certainly 
but  an  indifferent  Christian." 

"It  is  to  be  hoped  that  his  character  hath  improved,"  said 
Columbus,  calmly.  "  As  I  foresee  that  something  is  to  follow 
on  the  testimony  of  this  Jose,  you  will  let  me  say,  that  an  in- 
different Christian  is  but  an  indifferent  witness.  Tell  me,  at 
once,  therefore,  what  he  hath  communicated,  that  I  may  judge 
for  myself  of  the  value  of  his  words." 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  201 

"  Now,  he  that  doubteth  your  Excellency  will  not  discover 
Cathay  is  a  heretic,  seeing  that  you  have  discovered  my 
secret  without  having  heard  it !  Jose  has  just  arrived,  in 
the  felucca  that  is  riding  near  the  Santa  Maria,  and  hearing  that 
we  were  an  expedition  that  had  one  Sancho  Mundo  engaged  in 
it,  he  came  speedily  on  board  of  us  to  see  his  old  shipmate." 

"  All  that  is  so  plain,  that  I  wonder  thou  thinkest  it  worthy 
of  relating,  Sancho;  but,  now  we  have  him  safe  on  board  the 
good  ship,  we  can  come  at  once  to  the  subject  of  his  commu- 
nication. " 

"  That  may  we,  Senor  ;  and  so,  without  any  unnecessary  de- 
lay, I  will  state,  that  the  subject  was  touching  Don  Juan  of 
Portugal,  Don  Ferdinand  of  Aragon,  Dona  Isabella  of  Castile, 
your  Excellency,  Senor  Don  Almirante,  the  Senor  de  Munos 
here,  and  myself.'' 

"This  is  a  strange  company!"  exclaimed  Luis,  laughing, 
while  he  slipped  a  piece  of  eight  into  the  hand  of  the  sailor ; 
"  perhaps  that  may  aid  thee  in  shortening  the  story  of  the  sin- 
gular conjunction." 

"  Another,  Senor,  would  bring  the  tale  to  an  end  at  once. 
To  own  the  truth,  Jose  is  behind  that  wall,  and  as  he  told  me 
he  thought  his  news  worth  a  dobla,  he  will  be  greatly  displeased 
at  finding  I  have  received  my  half  of  it,  while  his  half  still  re- 
maineth  unpaid." 

"  This,  then,  will  set  his  mind  at  rest,"  said  Columbus,  plac- 
ing an  entire  dobla  in  the  hand  of  the  cunning  fellow,  for  the 
admiral  perceived  by  his  manner  that  Sancho  had  really  some- 
thing of  importance  to  communicate.  "Thou  canst  summon 
Jose  to  thy  aid,  and  deliver  thyself,  at  once,  of  thy  burden." 

Sancho  did  as  directed,  and  in  a  minute  Jose  had  appeared, 
had  received  the  dobla,  weighed  it  deliberately  on  his  finger, 
pocketed  it,  and  commenced  his  tale.  Unlike  the  artful  San- 
cho, he  told  his  story  at  once,  beginning  at  the  right  end, 
and  ceasing  to  speak  as  soon  as  he  had  no  more  to  communicate. 
The  substance  of  the  tale  is  soon  related.  Jose  had  come  from 
Ferro,  and  had  seen  three  armed  caravels,  wearing  the  flag  of 


262  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

Portugal,  cruising  among  the  islands,  under  circumstances  that 
left  little  doubt  their  object  was  to  intercept  the  Castiiian  expe- 
dition. As  the  man  referred  to  a  passenger  or  two,  who  had 
landed  within  the  hour,  to  corroborate  his  statement,  Columbus 
and  Luis  immediately  sought  the  lodgings  of  these  persons,  in 
order  to  hear  their  report  of  the  matter.  The  result  proved 
the  sailor  had  stated  nothing  but  what  was  true. 

"Of  all  our  difficulties  and  embarrassments,  Luis,"  resumed 
the  admiral,  as  the  two  finally  proceeded  to  the  shore,  "this  is 
much  the  most  serious  !  We  may  be  detained  altogether  by 
these  treacherous  Portuguese,  or  we  may  be  followed  in  our 
voyage,  and  have  our  fair  laurels  seized  upon  by  others,  and 
all  the  benefits  so  justly  due  for  our  toil  and  risk  usurped, 
or  at  least  disputed,  by  men  who  had  not  the  enterprise 
and  knowledge  to  accept  the  boon,  when  fairly  offered  to 
them." 

"Don  John  of  Portugal  must  have  sent  far  better  knights 
than  the  Moors  of  Granada  to  do  the  feat,"  answered  Luis,  who 
had  a  Spaniard's  distaste  for  his  peninsular  neighbors ;  "he  is 
a  bold  and  learned  prince,  they  say,  but  the  commission  and 
ensigns  of  the  sovereign  of  Castile  are  not  to  be  disregarded, 
and  that,  too,  in  the  midst  of  her  own  islands,  here." 

"  We  have  no  force  fit  to  contend  with  that  which  hath  most 
probably  been  sent  against  us.  The  number  and  size  of  our 
vessels  are  known,  and  the  Portuguese,  questionless,  have  re- 
sorted to  the  means  necessary  to  effect  their  purposes,  whatever 
those  purposes  may  be.  Alas !  Luis,  my  lot  hath  been  hard, 
though  I  humbly  trust  that  the  end  will  repay  me  for  all ! 
Years  did  T  sue  the  Portuguese  to  enter  fairly  into  this  voyage, 
and  to  endeavor  to  do  that,  in  all  honor,  which  our  gracious 
mistress,  Dona  Isabella,  hath  now  so  creditably  commenced ; 
he  listened  to  my  reasons  and  entreaties  with  cold  ears — nay, 
repelled  them,  with  ridicule  and  disdain  ;  and  yet,  here  am  1 
scarce  fairly  embarked  in  the  execution  of  schemes  that  they 
have  so  often  derided,  than  they  endeavor  to  defeat  me  by  vio- 
lence and  treachery." 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 


2G3 


"  Noble  Don  Christoval,  we  will  xlie  to  a  Castilian,  ere  this 
shall  come  to  pass !" 

"  Our  only  hope  is  in  speedy  departure.  Thanks  to  the  in- 
dustry and  zeal  of  Martin  Alonzo,  the  Pinta  is  ready,  and  we 
may  quit  Gomera  with  the  morning's  sun.  I  doubt  if  they  wTill 
have  the  hardihood  to  follow  us  into  the  trackless  and  unknown 
Atlantic,  without  any  other  guides  than  their  own  feeble  knowl- 
edge ;  and  we  will  depart  with  the  return  of  the  sun.  All  now 
dependeth  on  quitting  the  Canaries  unseen." 

As  this  was  said  they  reached  the  boat,  and  were  quickly 
pulled  on  board  the  Santa  Maria.  By  this  time  the  peaks  of 
the  islands  were  towering  like  gloomy  shadows  in  the  atmos- 
phere, and,  soon  after,  the  caravels  resembled  dark,  shapeless 
specks,  on  the  unquiet  element  that  washed  their  hulls. 


20  Jr  MERCEDES      OF     CASTILF. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

"  They  little  thought  how  pure  a  light, 
With  years,  should  gather  round  that  day ; 
How  love  should  keep  their  memories  bright — 
How  wide  a  realm  their  sons  should  sway." 

Beyant. 

The  night  that  succeeded  was  one  of  very  varied  feelings 
among  the  adventurers.  As  soon  as  Sancho  secured  the  re- 
ward, he  had  no  further  scruples  about  communicating  all  he 
knew,  to  any  who  were  disposed  to  listen ;  and  long  ere  Colum- 
bus returned  on  board  the  vessel,  the  intelligence  had  spread 
from  mouth  to  mouth,  until  all  in  the  little  squadron  were  ap- 
prised of  the  intentions  of  the  Portuguese.  Many  hoped  that 
it  was  true,  and  that  their  pursuers  might  be  successful ;  any 
fate  Joeing  preferable,  in  their  eyes,  to  that  which  the  voyage 
promised ;  but,  such  is  the  effect  of  strife,  much  the  larger  por- 
tion of  the  crew  were  impatient  to  lift  the  anchors  and  to  make 
sail,  if  it  were  only  to  get  the  mastery  in  the  race.  Columbus, 
himself,  experienced  the  deepest  concern,  for  it  really  seemed 
as  if  a  hard  fortune  was  about  to  snatch  the  cup  from  his  lips, 
just  as  it  had  been  raised  there,  after  all  his  cruel  sufferings  and 
delays.  He  consequently  passed  a  night  of  deep  anxiety,  and 
was  the  first  to  rise  in  the  morning. 

Every  one  was  on  the  alert  with  the  dawn ;  and  as  the  prepa- 
rations had  been  completed  the  previous  night,  by  the  time  the 
sun  had  risen,  the  three  vessels  were  under  way,  the  Pinta  lead- 
ing, as  usual.  The  wind  was  light,  and  the  squadron  could 
barely  gather  steerage  way ;  but  as  every  moment  was  deemed 
precious,  the  vessels'  heads  were  kept  to  the  westward.  When 
a  short  time  out,  a  caravel  came  flapping  past  them,  after  having 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  265 

oeen  several  hours  in  sight,  and  the  admiral  spoke  her.  She 
proved  to  be  from  Ferro,  the  most  southern  and  western  island 
of  the  group,  and  had  come  nearly  on  the  route  the  expedition 
intended  to  steer,  until  they  quitted  the  known  seas. 

"  Dost  thou  bring  any  tidings  from  Ferro?"  inquired  Co- 
lumbus, as  the  strange  ship  drifted  slowly  past  the  Santa  Maria ; 
the  progress  of  each  vessel  being  little  more  than  a  mile  in  the 
hour.      "  Is  there  aught  of  interest  in  that  quarter  VI 

"Did  I  know  whether,  or  not,  I  am  speaking  to  Don  Chris- 
topher Columbus,  the  Genoese  that  their  Highnesses  have  hon- 
ored with  so  important  a  commission,  I  should  feel  more  war- 
ranty to  answer  what  I  have  both  heard  and  seen,  Senor,"  was 
the  reply. 

"I  am  Don  Christopher  himself,  their  Highnesses'  admiral 
and  viceroy,  for  all  seas  and  lands  that  we  may  discover,  and,  as 
thou  hast  said,  a  Genoese  in  birth,  though  a  Castilian  by  duty, 
and  in  love  to  the  queen." 

u  Then,  noble  admiral,  I  may  tell  you  that  the  Portuguese 
are  active,  three  of  their  caravels  being  off  Ferro,  at  this  mo- 
ment, with  the  hope  of  intercepting  your  expedition." 

"  How  is  this  known,  friend,  and  what  reason  have  I  for 
supposing  that  the  Portuguese  will  dare  to  send  forth  caravels, 
with  orders  to  molest  those  who  sail  as  the  officers  of  Isabella 
the  Catholic  ?  They  must  know  that  the  Holy  Father  hath 
lately  conferred  this  title  on  the  two  sovereigns,  in  acknowledg- 
ment of  their  great  services  in  expelling  the  Moor  from  Chris- 
tendom." 

"  Senor,  there  hath  been  a  rumor  of  that  among  the  islands, 
but  little  will  the  Portuguese  care  for  aught  of  that  nature, 
when  he  deemeth  his  gold  in  danger.  As  I  quitted  Ferro,  I 
spoke  the  caravels,  and  have  good  reason  to  think  that  rumor 
doth  them  no  injustice." 

"  Did  they  seem  warlike,  and  made  they  any  pretensions  to 
a  right  to  interrupt  our  voyage  ?" 

"  To  us  they  said  naught  of  this  sort,  except  to  inquire, 
tauntingly,  if  the  illustrious  Don  Christoval  Colon,  the  great 


266  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

viceroy  of  the  east,  sailed  on  board  us.  As  for  preparation, 
Senor,  they  had  many  lornbardas,  and  a  multitude  of  men  in 
breast-plates  and  casques.  I  doubt  if  soldiers  are  as  numerous 
at  the  Azores,  as  when  they  sailed." 

"Keep  they  close  in  with  the  island,  or  stretch  they  off  to 
seaward  ?" 

"Mostly  the  latter,  Senor,  standing  far  toward  the  west  in 
the  morning,  and  beating  up  toward  the  land  as  the  day 
closeth.  Tate  the  word  of  an  old  pilot,  Don  Christopher,  the 
mongrels  are  there  for  no  good." 

This  was  barely  audible,  for,  by  this  time,  the  caravels  had 
drifted  past  each  other,  and  were  soon  altogether  beyond  the 
reach  of  the  voice. 

"Do  you  believe  that  the  Castilian  name  standeth  so  low, 
Don  Christopher,"  demanded  Luis,  "  that  these  dogs  of  Portu- 
guese dare  do  this  wrong  to  the  flag  of  the  queen  ?" 

"  I  dread  naught  from  force,  beyond  detention  and  frauds, 
certainly  ;  but  these,  to  me,  at  this  moment,  would  be  little  less 
painful  than  death.  Most  do  I  apprehend  that  these  caravels, 
under  the  pretence  of  protecting  the  rights  of  Don  John,  are 
directed  to  follow  us  to  Cathay,  in  which  case  we  should  have 
a  disputed  discovery,  and  divided  honors.  "We  must  avoid  the 
Portuguese,  if  possible ;  to  effect  which  purpose,  I  intend  to 
pass  to  the  westward,  without  nearing  the  island  of  Ferro,  any 
closer  than  may  be  rendered  absolutely  indispensable." 

Notwithstanding  a  burning  impatience  now  beset  the  admiral, 
and  most  with  him,  the  elements  seemed  opposed  to  his  pas- 
sage from  among  the  Canaries,  into  the  open  ocean.  The  wind 
gradually  failed,  until  it  became  so  calm  that  the  sails  were 
hauled  up,  and  the  three  vessels  lay,  now  laying  their  sides  with 
the  brine,  and  now  rising  to  the  summit  of  the  ground-swell, 
resembling  huge  animals  that  were  lazily  reposing,  under  the 
heats'  of  summer,  in  drowsy  indolence. 

Many  was  the  secret  pater,  or  ave,  that  was  mumbled  by  the 
mariners,  and  not  a  few  vows  of  future  prayers  were  made,  in 
the  hope  of  obtaining  a  breeze.     Occasionally  it  seemed  as  ii 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  267 

Providence  listened  to  these  petitions,  for  the  air  would  fan  the 
cheek,  and  the  sails  would  fall,  in  the  vain  expectation  of  get- 
ting ahead ;  but  disappointment  as  often  followed,  until  all  on 
board  felt  that  they  were  fated  to  linger  under  the  visitations 
of  a  calm.  Just  at  nightfall,  however,  a  light  air  arose,  and, 
for  a  few  hours,  the  wash  of  the  parted  waters  was  audible  un- 
der the  bows  of  the  vessels,  though  their  way  was  barely  suffi- 
cient to  keep  them  under  the  command  of  their  helms.  About 
midnight,  however,  even  this  scarcely  perceptible  motion  was 
lost,  and  the  craft  were  again  lazily  wallowing  in  the  ground- 
swells  that  the  gales  had  sent  in  from  the  vast  expanse  of  the 
Western  Ocean. 

When  the  light  reappeared,  the  admiral  found  himself  be- 
tween Gomera  and  TenerhTe,  the  lofty  peak  of  the  latter  casting 
its  pointed  shadow,  like  that  thrown  by  a  planet,  far  upon  the 
water,  until  its  sharp  apex  was  renewed,  in  faint  mimicry,  along 
the  glassy  surface  of  the  ocean.  Columbus  was  now  fearful 
that  the  Portuguese  might  employ  their  boats,  or  impel  some 
light  felucca  by  her  sweeps,  in  order  to  find  out  his  position  ; 
and  he  wisely  directed  the  sails  to  be  furled,  in  order  to  con- 
ceal his  vessels,  as  far  as  possible,  from  any  prying  eyes.  The 
season  had  advanced  to  the  7th  of  September,  and  such  was 
the  situation  of  this  renowned  expedition,  exactly  five  weeks 
after  it  had  left  Spain  ;  for  this  inauspicious  calm  occurred  on 
a  Friday,  or  on  that  day  of  the  week  on  which  it  had  originally 
sailed. 

All  practice  shows  that  there  is  no  refuge  from  a  calm  at  sea, 
except  in  patience.  Columbus  was  much  too  experienced  a 
navigator,  not  to  feel  this  truth,  and,  after  using  the  precaution 
mentioned,  he,  and  the  pilots  under  him,  turned  their  attention 
to  the  arrangements  required  to  render  the  future  voyage  safe 
and  certain.  The  few  mathematical  instruments  known  to  the 
age,  were  got  up,  corrected,  and  exhibited,  with  the  double 
intention  of  ascertaining  their  state,  and  of  making  a  display 
before  the  common  men,  that  would  heighten  their  respect  for 
their  leaders,  by  adding  to  their  confidence  in  their  skill.     The 


268  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

admiral,  himself,  had  already  obtained  a  high  reputation  as  a 
navigator,  among  his  followers,  in  consequence  of  his  reckon- 
ings having  proved  so  much  more  accurate  than  those  of  the 
pilots,  in  approaching  the  Canaries;  and  as  he  now  exhibited 
the  instruments  then  used  as  a  quadrant,  and  examined  his 
compasses,  every  movement  he  made  was  watched  by  the  sea- 
men, with  either  secret  admiration,  or  jealous  vigilance  ;  some 
openly  expressing  their  confidence  in  his  ability  to  proceed 
wherever  he  wished  to  go,  and  others  covertly  betraying  just 
that  degree  of  critical  knowledge  which  ordinarily  accompanies 
prejudice,  ignorance,  and  malice. 

Luis  had  never  been  able  to  comprehend  the  mysteries  of 
navigation,  his  noble  head  appearing  to  repudiate  learning,  as  a 
species  of  accomplishment  but  little  in  accordance  with  its  wants 
or  its  tastes.  Still,  he  was  intelligent ;  and  within  the  range 
of  knowledge  that  it  was  usual  for  laymen  of  his  rank  to  attain, 
few  of  his  age  did  themselves  more  credit  in  the  circles  of  the 
court.  Fortunately,  he  had  the  most  perfect  reliance  on  the 
means  of  the  admiral ;  and  being  almost  totally  without  personal 
apprehensions,  Columbus  had  not  a  more  submissive  or  blind 
follower,  than  the  young  grandee,  under  his  command. 

Man,  with  all  his  boasted  philosophy,  intelligence,  and  rea- 
son, exists  the  dupe  of  his  own  imagination  and  blindness,  as 
much  as  of  the  artifices  and  designs  of  others.  Even  while  he 
fancies  himself  the  most  vigilant  and  cautious,  he  is  as  often 
misled  by  appearances  as  governed  by  facts  and  judgment ;  and 
perhaps  half  of  those  who  were  spectators  of  this  calculated  care 
in  Columbus,  believed  that  they  felt,  in  their  renewed  confi- 
dence, the  assurances  of  science  and  logical  deductions,  when 
in  truth  their  senses  were  impressed,  without,  in  the  slightest 
degree,  enlightening  their  understandings. 

Thus  passed  the  day  of  the  7th  September,  the  night  arriving 
and  still  finding  the  little  squadron,  or  fleet,  as  it  was  termed  in 
the  lofty  language  of  the  day,  floating  helplessly  between  Tene- 
riffe  and  Gomera.  Nor  did  the  ensuing  morning  bring  a 
change,  for  a  burning  sun  beat,  unrelieved  by  a  breath  of  air, 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  269 

on  the  surface  of  a  sea  that  was  glittering  like  molten  silver. 
When  the  admiral  was  certain,  however,  by  having  sent  men 
aloft  to  examine  the  horizon,  that  the  Portuguese  were  not  in 
sight,  he  felt  infinitely  relieved,  little  doubting  that  his  pursuers 
still  lay,  as  inactive  as  himself,  to  the  westward  of  Ferro. 

"By  the  seamen's  hopes!  Senor  Don  Christopher,"  said 
Luis,  as  he  reached  the  poop,  where  Columbus  had  kept  an 
untiring  watch  for  hours,  he  himself  having  just  risen  from  a 
siesta,  "  the  fiends  seem  to  be  leagued  against  us  !  Here  are 
we  in  the  third  day  of  our  calm,  with  the  Peak  of  TenerifTe  as 
stationary  as  if  it  were  a  mile-stone,  set  to  tell  the  porpoises  and 
dolphins  the  rate  at  which  they  swim.  If  one  believed  in  omens, 
he  might  fancy  that  the  saints  were  unwilling  to  see  us  depart, 
even  though  it  be  on  their  own  errand.' ' 

"  We  may  not  believe  in  omens,  when  they  are  no  more 
than  the  fruits  of  natural  laws,"  gravely  returned  the  admiral. 
"  There  will  shortly  be  an  end  of  this  calm,  for  a  haze  is  gath- 
ering in  the  atmosphere  that  promises  air  from  the  east,  and 
the  motion  of  the  ship  will  tell  thee,  that  the  winds  have  been 
busy  far  to  the  westward.  Master  Pilot,"  addressing  the  offi- 
cer of  that  title,  who  had  charge  of  the  deck  at  the  moment, 
"  thou  wilt  do  well  to  unfurl  thy  canvas,  and  prepare  for  a 
favoring  breeze,  as  we  shall  soon  be  overtaken  by  wind  from  the 
north-east." 

This  prediction  was  verified  about  an  hour  later,  when  all 
three  of  the  vessels  began,  again,  to  part  the  waters  with  their 
stems.  But  the  breeze,  if  any  thing,  proved  more  tantalizing 
to  the  impatient  mariners  than  the  calm  itself  had  been  ;  for  a 
strong  head  sea  had  got  up,  and  the  air  proving  light,  the  differ- 
ent craft  struggled  with  difficulty  toward  the  west. 

All  this  time,  a  most  anxious  look-out  was  kept  for  the 
Portuguese  caravels,  the  appearance  of  which,  however,  was 
less  dreaded  than  it  had  been,  as  they  were  now  supposed  to 
be  a  considerable  distance  to  leeward.  Columbus,  and  his 
skilful  assistants,  Martin  Alonzo  and  Vicente  Yanez,  or  the 
brothers  Pinzon,  who  commanded  the  Pinta  and  the  Nina, 
12 


270  MERCEDES      OF      C  AG  TILE. 

practised  all  the  means  that  their  experience  could  suggest  to 
get  ahead.  Their  progress,  however,  was  not  only  slow  but 
painful,  as  every  fresh  impulse  given  by  the  breeze,  served  to 
plunge  the  bows  of  the  vessels  into  the  sea  with  a  violence  that 
threatened  injuries  to  the  spars  and  rigging.  So  trifling,  in- 
deed, was  their  rate  of  sailing,  that  it  required  all  the  judgment 
of  Columbus  to  note  the  nearly  imperceptible  manner  in  which 
the  tall,  cone-like  summit  of  the  Peak  of  Teneriffe  lowered,  as 
it  might  be,  inch  by  inch.  The  superstitious  feelings  of  the 
common  men  being  more  active  than  usual,  even,  some  among 
them  began  to  whisper  that  the  elements  were  admonishing 
them  against  proceeding,  and  that  tardy  as  it  might  seem,  the 
admiral  would  do  wTell  to  attend  to  omens  and  signs  that  nature 
seldom  gave  without  sufficient  reason.  These  opinions,  how- 
ever, were  cautiously  uttered — the  grave,  earnest  manner  of  Co- 
lumbus having  created  so  much  respect,  as  to  suppress  them  in 
his  presence ;  and  the  mariners  of  the  other  vessels  still  followed 
the  movements  of  their  admiral  with  that  species  of  blind  de- 
pendence which  marks  the  submission  of  the  inferior  to  the 
superior,  under  such  circumstances. 

When  Columbus  retired  to  his  cabin  for  the  night,  Luis  ob- 
served that  his  countenance  was  unusually  grave,  as  he  ended 
his  calculations  of  the  days'  work. 

"  I  trust  all  goes  to  your  wishes,  Don  Christopher,"  the 
young  man  gaily  observed.  "We  are  now  fairly  on  our  jour- 
ney, and,  to  my  eyes,  Cathay  is  already  in  sight." 

"  Thou  hast  that  within  thee,  Don  Luis,"  returned  the  ad- 
miral, "  which  rendereth  what  thou  wishest  to  see  distinct,  and 
maketh  all  colors  gay.  With  me  it  is  a  duty  to  see  things  as  they 
are,  and,  although  Cathay  lieth  plainly  before  the  vision  of  my 
mind — thou,  Lord,  who  hast  implanted,  for  thine  own  great  ends, 
the  desire  to  reach  that  distant  land,  only  know'st  how  plainly  ! 
— although  Cathay  is  thus  plain  to  my  moral  view,  I  am  bound 
to  heed  the  physical  obstacles  that  may  exist  to  our  reaching  it." 

"  And  are  these  obstacles  getting  to  be  more  serious  than  we 
could  hope,  Senor  V ' 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  27l 

"  My  trust  is  still  in  God — look  here,  young  lord,"  laying 
his  finger  on  the  chart ;  "  at  this  point  were  we  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  to  this  point  have  we  advanced  by  means  of  all  the 
toil  of  the  day,  down  to  this  portion  of  the  night.  Thou  seest 
that  a  line  of  paper  marketh  the  whole  of  our  progress  ;  and, 
here  a<rain,  thou  seest  that  we  have  to  cross  this  vast  desert  of 
ocean,  ere  we  may  even  hope  to  draw  near  the  end  of  our 
journey.  By  my  calculation,  with  all  our  exertions,  and  at  this 
critical  moment — critical  not  only  as  regardeth  the  Portuguese, 
but  critical  as  regardeth  our  own  people — we  have  made  but 
nine  leagues,  which  are  a  small  portion  of  the  thousand  that 
lie  before  us.  At  this  rate  we  may  dread  a  failure  of  our  pro- 
visions and  water." 

"  I  have  all  confidence  in  your  resources,  Don  Christopher, 
and  in  your  knowledge  and  experience." 

"  And  I  have  all  confidence  in  the  protection  of  God ;  trust- 
ing that  he  will  not  desert  his  servant  in  the  moment  that  he 
most  needeth  his  support." 

Here  Columbus  prepared  himself  to  catch  a  few  hours'  sleep, 
though  it  was  in  his  clothes,  the  interest  he  felt  in  the  position 
of  his  vessels  forbidding  him  to  undress.  This  celebrated  man 
lived  in  an  age  when  a  spurious  philosophy,  and  a  pretending 
but  insufficient  exercise  of  reason,  placed  few,  even  in  appear- 
ance, above  the  frank  admission  of  their  constant  reliance  on  a 
divine  power.  We  say  in  appearance,  as  no  man,  whatever 
may  be  the  extent  of  his  delusions  on  this  subject,  really  believes 
that  he  is  altogether  sufficient  for  his  own  protection.  This 
absolute  self-reliance  is  forbidden  by  a  law  of  nature,  each  carry- 
ing in  his  own  breast  a  monitor  to  teach  him  his  real  insignifi- 
cance, demonstrating  daily,  hourly,  at  each  minute  even,  that 
he  is  but  a  diminutive  agent  used  by  a  superior  power  in  carry- 
ing out  its  own  great  and  mysterious  ends,  for  the  sublime  and 
beneficent  purposes  for  which  the  world  and  all  it  contains  has 
been  created.  In  compliance  with  the  usage  of  the  times, 
Columbus  knelt,  and  prayed  fervently,  ere  he  slept;  nor  did 
Luis  de  Bobadilla  hesitate  about  imitating  an  example  that  few 


272  MERCEDES      Of       CASTILE. 

in  that  clay,  thought  beneath  their  intelligence  or  their  manhood. 
If  religion  had  the  taint  of  superstition  in  the  fifteenth  century, 
and  men  confided  too  much  in  the  efficacy  of  momentary  and 
transient  impulses,  it  is  certain  that  it  also  possessed  an  exterior 
of  graceful  meekness  and  submission  to  God,  in  losing  which, 
it  may  be  well  questioned  if  the  world  has  been  the  gainer. 

The  first  appearance  of  light  brought  the  admiral  and  Luis  to 
the  deck.  They  both  knelt  again  on  the  poop,  and  repeated 
their  paters  ;  and  then,  yielding  to  the  feelings  natural  to  their 
situation,  they  arose,  eager  to  watch  for  what  might  be  revealed 
by  the  lifting  of  the  curtain  of  day.  The  approach  of  dawn, 
and  the  rising  of  the  sun  at  sea,  have  been  so  often  described, 
that  the  repetition  here  might  be  superfluous ;  but  we  shall  state 
that  Luis  watched  the  play  of  colors  that  adorned  the  eastern 
sky,  with  a  lover's  refinement  of  feeling,  fancying  that  he  traced 
a  resemblance  to  the  passage  of  emotions  across  the  tell-tale 
countenance  of  Mercedes,  in  the  soft  and  transient  hues  that  aro 
known  to  precede  a  fine  morning  in  September,  more  especially 
in  a  low  latitude.  As  for  the  admiral,  his  more  practical  gaze 
was  turned  in  the  direction  in  which  the  island  of  Ferro  lay, 
awaiting  the  increase  of  the  light  in  order  to  ascertain  what 
changes  had  been  wrought  during  the  hours  he  had  slept.  Sev- 
eral minutes  passed  in  profound  attention,  when  the  navigator 
beckoned  Luis  to  his  side. 

"  Seest  thou  that  dark,  gloomy  pile,  which  is  heaving  up  out 
of  the  darkness,  here  at  the  south  and  west  of  us?"  he  said — 
"  it  gaineth  form  and  distinctness  at  each  instant,  though  dis- 
tant some  eight  or  ten  leagues  ;  that  is  Ferro,  and  the  Portu- 
guese are  there,  without  question,  anxiously  expecting  our 
appearance.  In  this  calm,  neither  can  approach  the  other,  and 
thus  far  we  are  safe.  It  is  now  necessary  to  ascertain  if  the 
pursuing  caravels  are  between  us  and  the  land,  or  not ;  after 
which,  should  it  prove  otherwise,  we  shall  be  reasonably  safe, 
if  we  approach  no  nearer  to  the  island,  and  we  can  maintain,  as 
yesterday,  the  advantage  of  the  wind.  Seest  thou  any  sail, 
Luis,  in  that  quarter  of  the  ocean  ?" 


MERJEDES      OF      CASTILE.  2\  8 

"  None,  Senor  ;  and  the  light  is  already  of  sufficient  stiengtL 
to  expose  the  white  canvas  of  a  vessel,  were  any  there." 

Columbus  made  an  ejaculation  of  thankfulness,  and  imme- 
diately ordered  the  look-out  aloft  to  examine  the  entire  horizon. 
The  report  was  favorable;  the  dreaded  Portuguese  caravels 
being  nowhere  visible.  As  the  sun  arose,  however,  a  breeze 
sprung  up  at  the  southward  and  westward,  bringing  Ferro,  and 
consequently  any  vessels  that  might  be  cruising  in  that  quarter, 
directly  to  windward  of  the  fleet.  Sail  was  made  without  the 
loss  of  a  moment ;  and  the  admiral  stood  to  the  northward  and 
westward,  trusting  that  his  pursuers  were  looking  out  for  him 
on  the  south  side  of  the  island,  which  was  the  ground  where 
those  who  did  not  thoroughly  understand  his  aim,  would  be 
most  likely  to  expect  him.  By  this  time  the  westerly  swell  had, 
in  a  great  measure,  gone  down ;  and  though  the  progress  of  the 
vessels  was  far  from  rapid,  it  was  steady,  and  seemed  likely  to 
last.  The  hours  went  slowly  by,  and  as  the  day  advanced,  ob- 
jects became  less  and  less  distinct  on  the  sides  of  Ferro.  Its 
entire  surface  next  took  the  hazy  appearance  of  a  dim  and  ill- 
defined  cloud  ;  and  then  it  began  slowly  to  sink  into  the  water. 
Its  summit  was  still  visible,  as  the  admiral,  with  the  more  privi- 
leged of  his  companions,  assembled  on  the  poop,  to  take  a  sur- 
vey of  the  ocean  and  of  the  weather.  The  most  indifferent 
observer  might  now  have  noted  the  marked  difference  in  the 
state  of  feeling  which  existed  among  the  adventurers  on  board 
the  Santa  Maria.  On  the  poop,  all  was  cheerfulness  and  hope, 
the  present  escape  having  induced  even  the  distrustful,  momen- 
tarily, to  forget  the  uncertain  future  ;  the  pilots,  as  usual,  were 
occupied  and  sustained  by  a  species  of  marine  stoicism  ;  while  a 
melancholy  had  settled  on  the  crew  that  was  as  apparent  as  if 
they  were  crowding  around  the  dead.  Nearly  every  man  in 
the  ship  was  in  some  one  of  the  groups  that  had  assembled  on 
leek  ;  and  every  eye  seemed  riveted,  as  it  might  be  by  enchant- 
ment, on  the  fading  and  falling  heights  of  Ferro.  "While  things 
were  in  this  state,  Columbus  approached  Luis,  and  aroused  him 
from  a  sort  of  trance,  by  laying  a  finger  lightly  on  his  shoulder 


274  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

"  It  cannot  be  that  the  Senor  de  Munos  is  affected  by  the 
feelings  of  the  common  men,"  observed  the  admiral,  with  a 
slight  mixture  of  surprise  and  reproach;  "this,  too,  at  a  mo- 
ment that  all  of  an  intelligence  sufficient  to  foresee  the  glorious 
consequences,  are  rejoicing  that  a  heaven-sent  breeze  is  carrying 
us  to  a  safe  distance  from  the  pursuing  and  envious  caravels  ! 
Why  dost  thou  thus  regard  the  people  beneath,  with  a  steady 
eye  and  unwavering  look  %  Is  it  that  thou  repentest  embark- 
ing, or  dost  thou  merely  muse  on  the  charms  of  thy  mistress  V 

u  By  San  Iago  !  Don  Christopher,  this  time  your  sagacity  is 
at  fault.  I  neither  repent,  nor  muse  as  you  would  imply  ;  but 
I  gaze  at  yonder  poor  fellows  with  pity  for  their  apprehen- 
sions.' ' 

"  Ignorance  is  a  hard  master,  Senor  Pedro,'  and  one  that  is 
now  exercising  his  power  over  the  imaginations  of  the  seamen 
with  the  ruthlessness  of  a  tyrant.  They  dread  the  worst  merely 
because  they  have  not  the  knowledge  to  foresee  the  best.  Fear 
is  a  stronger  passion  than  hope,  and  is  ever  the  near  ally  of  ig- 
norance. In  vulgar  eyes  that  which  hath  not  yet  been — nay, 
which  hath  not,  in  some  measure,  become  familiar  by  use — is 
deemed  impossible  ;  men  reasoning  in  a  circle  that  is  abridged 
by  their  information.  Those  fellows  are  gazing  at  the  island,  as 
it  disappears,  like  men  taking  a  last  look  at  the  things  of 'life. 
Indeed,  this  concern  exceedeth  even  what  I  could  have  an- 
ticipated." 

"  It  lieth  deep,  Senor,  and  yet  it  riseth  to  the  eyes ;  for  I  have 
seen  tears  on  cheeks  that  I  could  never  have  supposed  wetted 
in  any  manner  but  by  the  spray  of  the  ocean !" 

"  There  are  our  two  acquaintances,  Sancho  and  Pepe,  neither 
of  whom  seemeth  particularly  distressed,  though  the  last  hath  a 
cast  of  melancholy  in  his  face.  As  for  the  first,  the  knave 
showeth  the  indifference  of  a  true  mariner — one  who  is  never  so 
happy  as  when  furthest  from  the  dangers  of  rocks  and  shoals : 
to  such  a  man,  the  disappearance  of  one  island,  and  the  appear- 
ance of  another,  are  alike  matters  of  indifference.  He  seeth 
but  the  visible  horizon  around  him,  and  considereth  the  rest  of 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  275 

the  world,  temporarily,  as  a  blank.  I  look  for  loyal  service  in 
that  Sancho,  in  despite  of  his  knavery,  and  count  upon  him  as 
one  of  the  truest  of  my  followers." 

Here  the  admiral  was  interrupted  by  a  cry  from  the  deck  be- 
neath him,  and,  looking  round,  his  practised  and  quick  eye  was 
not  slow  in  discovering  that  the  horizon  to  the  southward  pre- 
sented the  usual  watery  blank  of  the  open  ocean.  Ferro  had, 
in  fact,  altogether  disappeared,  some  of  the  most  sanguine  of 
the  seamen  having  fancied  that  they  beheld  it,  even  after  it  had 
finally  sunk  behind  the  barrier  of  waves.  As  the  circumstance 
became  more  and  more  certain,  the  lamentations  among  the 
people  grew  less  and  less  equivocal  and  louder,  tears  flowed 
without  shame  or  concealment,  hands  were  wrung  in  a  sort  of  a 
senseless  despair,  and  a  scene  of  such  clamor  ensued,  as  threat- 
ened some  serious  danger  to  the  expedition  from  this  new  quar- 
ter. Under  such  circumstances,  Columbus  had  all  the  people 
collected  beneath  the  break  of  the  poop,  and  standing  on  the 
latter,  where  he  could  examine  every  countenance  for  himself, 
he  addressed  them  on  the  subject  of  their  grief.  On  this  occa- 
sion the  manner  of  the  great  navigator  was  earnest  and  sincere, 
leaving  no  doubt  that  he  fully  believed  in  the  truth  of  his  own 
arguments,  and  that  he  uttered  nothing  with  the  hope  to  delude 
or  to  mislead. 

"When  Don  Ferdinand  and  Dona  Isabella,  our  respected 
and  beloved  sovereigns,  honored  me  with  the  commission  of 
admiral  and  viceroy,  in  those]  secret  seas  toward  which  we  are 
now  steering,"  he  said,  "  I  considered  it  as  the  most  glorious 
and  joyful  event  of  my  life,  as  I  now  consider  this  moment, 
that  seemeth  to  some  among  you  so  painful,  as  second  to  it  in 
hope  and  cause  for  felicitation.  In  the  disappearance  of  Ferro, 
I  see  also  the  disappearance  of  the  Portuguese  ;  'for,  now  that 
we  are  in  the  open  ocean,  without  the  limits  of  any  known 
land,  I  trust  that  Providence  hath  placed  us  beyond  the  reach 
and  machinations  of  all  our  enemies.  Whila  we  prove  true  to 
ourselves,  and  to  the  great  objects  that  are  before  us,  there  is 
no  longer  cause  for  fear.     If  any  person  among  you  hath  a 


270  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

mind  to  disburden  himself,  in  this  matter,  let  him  speak  free- 
ly ;  we  being  much  too  strong  in  argument  to  wish  to  silence 
doubts  by  authority." 

"  Then,  Senor  Don  Almirante,"  put  in  Sancho,  whose  tongue 
was  ever  ready  to  wag,  as  occasion  offered,  "  it  is  just  that 
which  maketh  your  Excellency  so  joyful  that  maketh  these 
honest  people  so  sad.  Could  they  always  keep  the  island  of 
Ferro  in  sight,  or  any  other  known  land,  they  would  follow  you 
to  Cathay  with  as  gentle  a  pull  as  the  launch  followeth  the  car- 
avel in  a  light  breeze  and  smooth  water;  but  it  is  this  leaving 
all  behind,  as  it  might  be,  earth  as  well  as  wives  and  children, 
that  saddens  their  hearts,  and  uncorks  their  tears." 

"  And  thou,  Sancho,  an  old  mariner  that  wast  born  at 
sea" — 

"  Nay,  your  Excellency,  illustrious  Senor  Don  Almirante," 
interrupted  Sancho,  looking  up  with  pretended  simplicity, 
"  not  exactly  at  sea,  though  within  the  scent  of  its  odor;  since, 
having  been  found  at  the  shipwright's  gate,  it  is  not  probable 
they  would  have  made  a  haven  just  to  land  so  small  a  part  of 
the  freight." 

"  Well,  born  near  the  sea,  if  thou  wilt — but  from  thee  I  ex- 
pect better  things  than  unmanly  lamentations  because  an  island 
hath  sunk  below  the  horizon." 

"  Excellency,  you  may  ;  it  mattereth  little  to  Sancho,  if  half 
the  islands  in  the  sea  were  sunk  a  good  deal  lower.  There  are 
the  Cape  de  Verdes,  now,  which  I  never  wish  to  look  upon 
again,  and  Lampidosa,  besides  Stromboli  and  others  in  that 
quarter,  would  be  better  out  of  the  way,  than  where  they  are, 
as  for  any  good  they  do  us  seamen.  But,  if  your  Excellency 
will  condescend  to  tell  these  honest  people  whither  it  is  that  we 
are  bound,  and  what  you  expect  to  find  in  port,  and,  more  es- 
pecially, when  we  are  to  come  back,  it  would  comfort  them  in 
an  unspeakable  degree." 

"  As  I  hold  it  to  be  the  proper  office  of  men  m  authority  to 
let  their  motives  be  known,  when  no  evil  followeth  the  disclo- 
sure, this  will  I  most  cheerfully  do,  requiring  the  attention  of 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  277 

all  near  me,  and  chiefly  of  those  who  are  most  uneasy  concern- 
ing our  present  position  and  future  movements.  The  end  of 
our  voyage  is  Cathay,  a  country  that  is  known  to  lie  in  the 
uttermost  eastern  extremity  of  Asia,  whither  it  hath  been  more 
than  once  reached  by  Christian  travellers  ;  and  its  difference 
from  all  other  voyages,  or  journeys,  that  may  have  been  at- 
tempted in  order  to  reach  the  same  country,  is  in  the  circum- 
stance that  we  go  west,  while  former  travellers  have  proceeded 
east.  But  this  is  effecting  our  purposes  by  means  that  belong 
only  to  stout-hearted  mariners,  since  none  but  those  who  are 
familiar  with  the  ocean,  skilful  pilots,  and  obedient  and  ready 
seamen,  can  traverse  the  waters,  without  better  guides  than  the 
knowledge  of  the  stars,  currents,  winds,  and  other  phenomena 
of  the  Atlantic,  and  such  aids  as  may  be  gleaned  from  science. 
The  reason  on  which  I  act,  is  a  conviction  that  the  earth  is 
round,  whence  it  followeth  that  the  Atlantic,  which  we  know 
to  possess  an  eastern  boundary  of  land,  must  also  have  a  west- 
ern ;  and  from  certain  calculations  that  leave  it  almost  certain, 
that  this  continent,  which  I  hold  will  prove  to  be  India,  cannot 
lie  more  than  some  twenty-five  or  thirty  days'  sailing,  if  as 
many,  from  our  own  Europe.  Having  thus  told  when  and 
where  I  expect  to  find  the  country  We  seek,  I  will  now  touch  a 
little  on  the  advantages  that  we  may  all  expect  to  derive  from 
the  discovery.  According  to  the  accounts  of  a  certain  Marco 
Polo,  and  his  relatives,  gentlemen  of  Venice,  and  men  of  fair 
credit  and  good  reputations,  the  kingdom  of  Cathay  is  not 
only  one  of  the  most  extensive  known,  but  one  that  most 
aboundeth  in  gold  and  silver,  together  with  the  other  metals  of 
value,  and  precious  stones.  Of  the  advantages  of  the  discovery 
of  such  a  land  to  yourselves,  ye  may  judge  by  its  advantages 
to  me.  Their  Highnesses  have  dignified  me  with  the  rank  of 
admiral  and  viceroy,  in  anticipation  of  our  success,  and,  perse- 
vering to  a  successful  termination  of  your  efforts,  the  humblest 
man  among  ye  may  look  with  confidence  to  some  signal  mark 
of  their  favor.  Rewards  will  doubtless  be  rendered  in  propor- 
tion to  your  merits ;  he  that  deserveth  much,  receiving  more 


278  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

than  he  who  hath  deserved  less.  Still  will  there  be  sufficient 
for  all.  Marco  Polo  and  his  relatives  dwelt  seventeen  years  in 
the  court  of  the  Great  Khan,  and  were  every  way  qualified  to 
give  a  true  account  of  the  riches  and  resources  of  those  regions ; 
and  well  were  they — simple  Venetian  gentlemen,  without  any 
other  means  than  could  be  transported  on  the  backs  of  beasts 
of  burden — rewarded  for  their  toils  and  courage.  The  jewels 
alone,  with  which  they  returned,  served  long  to  enrich  their 
race,  renovating  a  decayed  but  honorable  family,  while  they 
did  their  enterprise  and  veracity  credit  in  the  eyes  of  men. 

"  As  the  ocean,  for  a  long  distance  this  side  of  the  continent 
of  Asia  and  the  kingdom  of  Cathay,  is  known  to  abound  with 
islands,  we  may  expect  first  to  meet  with  them,  where,  it  would 
be  doing  nature  herself  injustice,  did  we  not  anticipate  fragrant 
freights  of  balmy  spices,  and  other  valuable  commodities  with 
which  that  favored  quarter  of  the  earth,  it  is  certain,  is  enriched. 
Indeed,  it  is  scarce  possible  for  the  imagination  to  conceive  of 
the  magnitude  of  the  results  that  await  our  success,  while 
naught  but  ridicule  and  contempt  could  attend  a  hasty  and  in- 
considerate return.  Going  not  as  invaders,  but  as  Christians 
and  friends,  we  have  no  reason  to  expect  other  than  the  most 
friendly  reception ;  and,  no  doubt,  the  presents  and  gifts,  alone, 
that  will  naturally  be  offered  to  strangers  who  have  come  so  far, 
and  by  a  road  that  hath  hitherto  been  untravelled,  will  forty-fold 
repay  you  for  all  your  toils  and  troubles. 

"  I  say  nothing  of  the  honor  of  being  among  those  who  have 
first  carried  the  cross  to  the  heathen  world,"  continued  the  ad- 
miral, uncovering  himself,  and  looking  around  him  with  solemn 
gravity ;  "  though  our  fathers  believed  it  to  be  no  little  distinc- 
tion to  have  been  one  in  the  armies  that  contended  for  the  pos- 
session of  the  sepulchre.  But  neither  the  church,  nor  its  great 
master,  forgetteth  the  servitor  that  advanceth  its  interests,  and 
we  may  all  look  for  blessings,  both  here  and  hereafter." 

As  he  concluded,  Columbus  devoutly  crossed  himself,  and 
w:thdrew  from  the  sight  of  his  people  among  those  who  were 
on  the  poop.     The  effect  of  this  address  was,  for  the  moment, 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  2*79 

very  salutary,  and  the  men  saw  the  clouds  that  hung  over  the 
land  disappear,  like  the  land  itself,  with  less  feeling  than  they 
had  previously  manifested.  Nevertheless,  they  remained  dis- 
trustful and  sad,  some  dreaming  that  night  of  the  pictures  that 
Columbus  had  drawn  of  the  glories  of  the  East,  and  others 
fancying,  in  their  sleep,  that  demons  were  luring  them  into  un- 
known seas,  where  they  were  doomed  to  wander  forever,  as 
a  punishment  for  their  sins ;  conscience  asserting  its  power 
in  all  situations,  and  most  vividly  in  those  of  distrust  and  un- 
certainty. 

Shortly  before  sunset,  the  admiral  caused  the  three  vessels  to 
heave-to,  and  the  two  Pinzons  to  repair  on  board  his  own  ship. 
Here  he  laid  before  these  persons  his  orders  and  plans  for  their 
government,  in  the  event  of  a  separation. 

"Thus  you  will  understand  me,  Senores,"  he  concluded,  after 
having  explained  at  length  his  views:  "Your  first  and  gravest 
duty  will  be  to  keep  near  the  admiral,  in  all  weather,  and  under 
every  circumstance,  so  long  as  it  may  be  possible  ;  but,  failing 
of  the  possibility,  you  will  make  your  way  due  westward,  on 
this  parallel  of  latitude,  until  you  have  gone  seven  hundred 
leagues  from  the  Canaries;  after  which,  you  are  to  lie-to  at 
night,  as,  by  that  time,  it  is  probable  you  will  be  among  the 
islands  of  Asia ;  and  it  will  be  both  prudent,  and  necessary  to  our 
objects,  to  be  more  on  the  alert  for  discoveries,  from  that  mo- 
ment. Still,  you  will  proceed  westward,  relying  on  seeing  me 
at  the  court  of  the  Great  Khan,  should  Providence  deny  us  an 
earlier  meeting." 

"  This  is  well,  Senor  Almirante,"  returned  Martin  Alonzo, 
raising  his  eyes,  which  had  long  been  riveted  on  the  chart,  "  but 
it  will  be  far  better  for  all  to  keep  together,  and  chiefly  so  to  us, 
who  are  little  used  to  the  habits  of  princes,  if  we  wait  for  your 
Excellency's  protection  before  we  rush  unheedingly  into  the 
presence  of  a  sovereign  as  potent  as  the  Grand  Khan." 

"  Thou  showest  thy  usual  prudence,  good  Martin  Alonzo, 
and  I  much  commend  thee  for  it.  It  were,  indeed,  better  that 
thou  shouldst  wait  my  arrival,  since  that  eastern  potentate  may 


280  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

conceive  himself  better  treated  by  receiving  the  first  visit  from 
the  viceroy  of  the  sovereigns,  who  is  the  bearer  of  letters  direct- 
ly from  his  own  royal  master  and  mistress,  than  by  receiving  it 
from  one  of  inferior  rank.  Look  thou  well  to  the  islands  and 
their  products,  Senor  Pinzon,  shouldst  thou  first  gain  those 
seas,  and  await  my  appearance,  before  thou  proceedest  to 
aught  else.  How  stand  thy  people  affected  on  taking  leave  of 
the  land?" 

"  111  enough,  Senor ;  so  much  so,  indeed,  as  to  put  me  in 
fear  of  a  mutiny.  There  are  those  in  the  Pinta  who  need  to 
stand  in  wholesome  dread  of  the  anger  of  their  Highnesses,  to 
prevent  their  making  a  sudden  and.  violent  return  to  Palos." 

"  Thou  wouldst  do  well  to  look  sharply  to  this  spirit,  that  it 
may  be  kept  under.  Deal  kindly  and  gently  with  these  disaf- 
fected spirits  as  long  as  may  be,  encouraging  them  by  all  fair 
and  reasonable  promises  ;  but  beware  that  the  distemper  get 
not  the  mastery  of  thy  authority.  And  now,  Seiiores,  as  the 
night  approacheth,  take  boat  and  return  to  your  vessels,  that 
we  may  profit  by  the  breeze." 

When  Columbus  was  again  alone  with  Luis,  he  sat  in  his 
little  cabin,  with  a  hand  supporting  his  head,  musing  like  one 
lost  in  reflection. 

"  Thou  hast  long  known  this  Martin  Alonzo,  Don  Luis  de 
Bobadilla  ?"  he  at  length  asked,  betraying  the  current  of  his 
thoughts,  by  the  nature  of  the  question. 

"  Long,  Senor,  as  youths  count  time ;  though  it  would  seem 
but  a  day  in  the  calculations  of  aged  men." 

"  Much  dependeth  on  him;  I  hope  he  may  prove  honest; 
as  yet  he  hath  shown  himself  liberal,  enterprising,  and  manly." 

"He  is  human,  Don  Christopher,  and  therefore  liable  to  err. 
Yet  as  men  go,  I  esteem  Martin  Alonzo  far  from  being  among 
the  worst  of  his  race.  He  hath  not  embarked  in  this  enter- 
prise under  knightly  vows,  nor  with  any  churchman's  zeal ;  but 
give  him  the  chance  of  a  fair  return  for  his  risks,  and  you  will 
find  him  as  true  as  interest  ever  leaveth  a  man,  when  there  is 
any  occasion  to  try  his  selfishness." 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  281 

"  Then  tliou,  only,  will  I  trust  with  my  secret.  Look  at  this 
paper,  Luis.  Here  thou  seest  that  I  have  been  calculating  our 
progress  since  morning,  and  I  find  that  we  have  come  full  nine- 
teen leagues,  though  it  be  not  in  a  direct  westerly  line.  Should 
I  let  the  people  know  how  far  we  may  have  truly  come,  at  the 
end  of  some  great  distance,  there  being  no  land  visible,  fear 
will  get  the  mastery  over  them,  and  no  man  can  foresee  the 
consequences.  I  shall  write  down  publicly,  therefore,  but  fif- 
teen leagues,  keeping  the  true  reckoning  sacred  for  thine  eye 
and  mine.  God  will  forgive  me  this  deception,  in  consideration 
that  it  is  practised  in  the  interest  of  his  own  church.  By  mak- 
ing these  small  deductions  daily,  it  will  enable  us  to  advance  a 
thousand  leagues,  without  awakening  alarm  sufficient  for  more 
than  seven  or  eight  hundred." 

"This  is  reducing  courage  to  a  scale  I  little  dreamt  of, 
Sen  or,"  returned  Luis,  laughing.  "  By  San  Luis,  my  true 
patron  !  we  should  think  ill  of  the  knight  who  found  it  neces- 
sary to  uphold  his  heart  by  a  measurement  of  leagues." 

"All  unknown  evils  are  dreaded  evils.  Distance  hath  its 
terrors  for  the  ignorant,  and  it  may  justly  have  its  terrors  for 
the  wise,  young  noble,  when  it  is  measured  on  a  trackless 
ocean ;  and  there  ariseth  another  question  touching  those  great 
staples  of  life,  food  and  water." 

With  this  slight  reproof  of  the  levity  of  his  young  friend,  the 
admiral  prepared  himself  for  his  hammock  by  kneeling  and 
repeating  the  prayers  of  the  hour. 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

"Whither,  'midst  falling  dew, 

While  glow  the  heavens  with  the  last  steps  of  day, 
Far.  through  their  rosy  depths,  dost  thou  pursue 
Thy  solitary  way  ?" 

Bryant. 

The  slumbers  of  Columbus  were  of  short  duration.  "While 
his  sleep  lasted  it  was  profound,  like  that  of  a  man  who  has  so 
much  control  over  his  will  as  to  have  reduced  the  animal  func- 
tions to  its  domination,  for  he  awoke  regularly  at  short  inter- 
vals, in  order  that  his  watchful  eye  might  take  a  survey  of  the 
state  of  the  weather,  and  of  the  condition  of  his  vessels.  On 
this  occasion,  the  admiral  was  on  deck  again,  a  little  after  one, 
where  he  found  all  things  seemingly  in  that  quiet  and  inspiring 
calm  that  ordinarily  marks,  in  fine  weather,  a  middle  watch  at 
sea.  The  men  on  deck  mostly  slumbered ;  the  drowsy  pilot,  and 
the  steersman,  with  a  look-out  or  two,  alone  remaining  erect  and 
awake.  The  wind  had  freshened,  and  the  caravel  was  plough- 
ing her  way  ahead,  with  an  untiring  industry,  leaving  Ferro  and 
its  dangers,  at  each  instant,  more  and  more  remote.  The  only 
noises  that  were  audible,  were  the  gentle  sighing  of  the  wind 
among  the  cordage,  the  wash  of  the  water,  and  the  occasional 
creaking  of  a  yard,  as  the  breeze  forced  it,  with  a  firmer  pres- 
sure, to  distend  its  tackle  and  to  strain  its  fittings. 

The  night  was  dark,  and  it  required  a  moment  to  accustom 
the  eye  to  objects  by  a  light  so  feeble  :  when  this  was  done, 
however,  the  admiral  discovered  that  the  ship  was  not  close  by 
the  wind,  as  he  had  ordered  that  she  should  be  kept.  Walking 
to  the  helm,  he  perceived  that  it  was  so  far  bcrne  up,  as  to 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  283 

cause  her  head  to  fall  off  toward  the  north-east,  which  was,  in 
fact,  in  the  direction  to  Spain. 

"Art  thou  a  seaman,  and  disregardest  thy  course,  in  this 
heedless  manner  V  sternly  demanded  the  admiral ;  "  or  art  thou 
only  a  muleteer,  who  fancieth  he  is  merely  winding  his  way 
along  a  path  of  the  mountains.  Thy  heart  is  in  Spain,  and 
thou  thinkest  that  a  vain  wish  to  return  may  meet  with  some 
relief  in  this  idle  artifice  !" 

"Alas,  Senor  Almirante !  your  Excellency  hath  judged 
rightly  in  believing  that  my  heart  is  in  Spain,  where  it  ought  to 
be,  moreover,  as  I  have  left  behind  me  at  Moguer  seven  mother- 
less children." 

"Dost  thou  not  know,  fellow,  that  I,  too,  am  a  father,  and 
that  the  dearest  objects  of  a  father's  hopes  are  left  behind  me, 
also  ?  In  what,  then,  dost  thou  differ  from  me,  my  son  being 
also  without  a  mother's  care  V 

"Excellency,  he  hath  an  admiral  for  a  father,  while  my 
boys  have  only  a  helmsman  I" 

"And  what  will  it  matter  to  Don  Diego" — Columbus  was  fond 
of  dwelling  on  the  honors  he  had  received  from  the  sovereigns, 
even  though  it  were  a  little  irregularly — "  what  will  it  matter 
to  Don  Diego,  my  son,  that  his  parent  perished  an  admiral,  if 
he  perish  at  all ;  and  in  what  will  he  profit  more  than  your 
children,  when  he  findeth  himself  altogether  without  a  parent?" 

"Senor,  it  will  profit  him  to  be  cherished  by  the  king  and 
queen,  to  be  honored  as  your  child,  and  to  be  fostered  and  fed 
as  the  offspring  of  a  viceroy,  instead  of  being  cast  aside  as  the 
issue  of  a  nameless  mariner." 

"  Friend,  thou  hast  some  reason  in  this,  and  insomuch  I  re- 
spect thy  feelings,"  answered  Columbus,  who,  like  our  own 
Washington,  appears  to  have  always  submitted  to  a  lofty  and 
pure  sense  of  justice  ;  "  but  thou  wouldst  do  well  to  remember 
the  influence  that  thy  manly  and  successful  perseverance  in  this 
voyage  may  produce  on  the  welfare  of  thy  children,  instead  of 
thus  dwelling  on  weak  forebodings  of  ills  that  are  little  likely  to 
come  to.  pass.     Neither  of  us  hath  much  to  expect,  should  we 


284  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

fail  of  our  discoveries,  while  both  may  hope  every  thing  should 
we  succeed.  Can  I  trust  thee  now,  to  keep  the  ship  on  her 
course,  or  must  I  send  for  another  mariner  to  relieve  the 
helm?" 

"  It  may  be  better,  noble  admiral,  to  do  the  last.  I  will  be- 
think me  of  thy  counsel,  and  strive  with  my  longings  for  home  ; 
but  it  would  be  safer  to  seek  another  for  this  day,  while  we  are 
so  near  to  Spain." 

"  Dost  thou  know  one  Sancho  Mundo,  a  common  seaman  cf 
this  crew  ?" 

*'  Sefior,  we  all  know  him  ;  he  hath  the  name  of  the  most 
skilful  of  our  craft,  of  all  in  Moguer." 

"Is  he  of  thy  watch,  or  sleepeth  he  with  his  fellows  of  the 
relief  below  V 

"  Senor,  he  is  of  our  watch  ;  and  sleepeth  not  with  his  fellows 
below,  for  the  reason  that  he  sleepeth  on  deck.  No  care,  or 
danger,  can  unsettle  the  confidence  of  Sancho  !  To  him  the 
sight  of  land  is  so  far  an  evil,  that  I  doubt  if  he  rejoice  should 
we  ever  reach  those  distant  countries  that  your  Excellency 
seemeth  to  expect  we  may." 

"  Go  find  this  Sancho,  and  bid  him  come  hither ;  I  will  dis- 
charge thy  office  the  while." 

Columbus  now  took  the  helm  with  his  own  hands,  and  with 
a  light  play  of  the  tiller  brought  the  ship  immediately  up  as 
near  the  wind  as  she  would  lie.  The  effect  was  felt  in  more 
quick  and  sudden  plunges  into  the  sea,  a  deeper  heel  to  lee- 
ward, and  a  fresh  creaking  aloft,  that  denoted  a  renewed  and 
increased  strain  on  all  the  spars  and  their  tackle.  In  the  course 
of  a  few  minutes,  however,  Sancho  appeared,  rubbing  his  eyes, 
and  yawning. 

"  Take  thou  this  duty,"  said  the  admiral,  as  soon  as  the  man 
was  near  him,  "and  discharge  it  faithfully.  Those  who  have 
been  here  already,  have  proved  unfaithful,  suffering  the  vessel 
to  fall  off,  in  the  direction  of  Spain ;  I  expect  better  things  of 
thee.  I  think,  friend  Sancho,  I  may  count  on  thee  as  a  true 
and  faithful  follower,  even  in  extremity  V 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  285 

"  Seiior  Don  Almirante,"  said  Sancho,  who  took  the  helm, 
giving  it  a  little  play  to  feel  his  command  of  it,  as  a  skilful 
coachman  brings  his  team  in  subjection  on  first  assuming 
the  reins,  "  I  am  a  servant  of  the  crown's,  and  your  inferior 
and  subordinate  ;  such  duty  as  becometh  me,  I  am  ready  to 
discharge." 

"  Thou  hast  no  fear  of  this  voyage — no  childish  forebodings 
of  becoming  an  endless  wanderer  in  an  unknown  sea,  without 
hope  of  ever  seeing  wife  or  child  again?" 

"  Senior,  you  seem  to  know  our  hearts  as  well  as  if  your  Ex- 
cellency had  made  them  with  your  own  hands,  and  then  put 
them  into  our  miserable  bodies  I" 

"  Thou  hast,  then,  none  of  these  unsuitable  and  unseamanlike 
apprehensions  ?" 

"  Not  as  much,  Excellency,  as  would  raise  an  ave  in  a  parish 
priest,  or  a  sigh  in  an  old  woman.  I  may  have  my  misgivings, 
for  we  all  have  weaknesses,  but  none  of  them  incline  to  any 
dread  of  sailing  about  the  ocean,  since  that  is  my  happiness ; 
nor  to  any  concern  about  wife  and  children,  not  having  the  first, 
and  wishing  not  to  think  I  have  the  last." 

"  If  thou  hast  misgivings,  name  them.  I  could  wish  to  make 
one  firm  as  thou,  wholly  my  friend." 

"  I  doubt  not,  Senor,  that  we  shall  reach  Cathay,  or  what- 
ever country  your  Excellency  may  choose  to  seek  ;  I  make  no 
question  of  your  ability  to  beard  the  Great  Khan,  and,  at 
need,  to  strip  the  very  jewels  from  his  turban — as  turban  he 
must  have,  being  an  Infidel ;  nor  do  I  feel  any  misgivings 
about  the  magnitude  and  richness  of  onr  discoveries  and  freights, 
since  I  believe,  Seiior  Don  Almirante,  you  are  skilful  enough 
to  take  the  caravels  in  at  one  end  of  the  earth  and  out  at  the 
other ;  or,  even  to  load  them  with  carbuncles,  should  diamonds 
be  wanting." 

"  If  thou  hast  this  faith  in  thy  leader,  what  other  distrust 
can  give  thee  concern  ?" 

"  I  distrust  the  value  of  the  share,  whether  of  honor  or  of 
jewels,  that  will  fall  to  the  lot  of  one  Sancho  Mundo,  a  poor, 


286  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

unknown,  almost  shirtless  mariner,  that  hath  more  need  of  both 
than  hath  ever  crossed  the  mind  of  our  gracious  lady,  Doiia 
Isabella,  or  of  her  royal  consort." 

"  Sancho,  thou  art  a  proof  that  no  man  is  without  his  failings, 
and  I  fear  thou  art  mercenary.  They  say  all  men  have  their 
prices  ;  thou  seemest  clearly  to  have  thine." 

"  Your  Excellency  hath  not  been  sailing  about  the  world 
for  nothing,  or  you  could  not  tell  every  man  his  inclinations  so 
easily.  I  have  ever  suspected  I  was  mercenary,  and  so  have 
accepted  all  sorts  of  presents  to  keep  the  feeling  down.  Noth- 
ing appeases  a  mercenary  longing  like  gifts  and  rewards ;  and 
as  for  price,  I  strive  hard  to  keep  mine  as  high  as  possible,  lest 
it  should  bring  me  into  discredit  for  a  mean  and  grovelling 
spirit.  Give  me  a  high  price,  and  plenty  of  gifts,  and  I  can  be 
as  disinterested  as  a  mendicant  friar." 

"  I  understand  thee,  Sancho  ;  thou  art  to  be  bought,  but  not 
to  be  frightened.  In  thy  opinion  a  single  dobla  is  too  little  to 
be  divided  between  thee  and  thy  friend,  the  Portuguese.  I  will 
make  a  league  with  thee  on  thine  own  terms ;  here  is  another 
piece  of  gold  ;  see  that  thou  remain  est  true  to  me  throughout 
the  voyage." 

"  Count  on  me,  without  scruple,  Senor  Don  Almirante,  and 
with  scruples,  too,  should  they  interfere.  Your  Excellency  hath 
not  a  more  disinterested  friend  in  the  fleet.  I  only  hope  that 
when  the  share-list  shall  be  written  out,  the  name  of  Sancho 
Mundo  may  have  an  honorable  place,  as  will  become  his  fidelity. 
And  now,  your  Excellency,  go  sleep  in  peace  ;  the  Santa  Maria 
shall  lie  as  near  to  the  route  to  Cathay,  as  this  south-westerly 
breeze  will  suffer." 

Columbus  complied,  though  he  rose  once  or  twice  more,  dur- 
ing the  night,  to  ascertain  the  state  of  the  weather,  and  that  the 
men  did  their  duties.  So  long  as  Sancho  remained  at  the  helm, 
he  continued  faithful  to  his  compact ;  but,  as  he  went  below 
with  his  watch,  at  the  usual  hour,  successors  were  put  in  his 
place,  who  betrayed  the  original  treachery  of  the  other  helms- 
man.    When  Luis  left  his  hammock,  Columbus  was  already  at 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  287 

work,  ascertaining  tlic  distance  that  had  been  run  in  the  course 
of  the  night  Catching  the  inquiring  glance  of  the  young  man, 
the  admiral  observed,  gravely,  and  not  altogether  without 
melancholy  m  his  manner — 

M  We  have  had  a  good  run,  though  it  hath  been  more  nor- 
therJy  than  I  could  have  desired.  I  find  that  the  vessels  are 
thirty  leagues  further  from  Ferro  than  when  the  sun  set,  and 
thou  seest,  here,  that  I  have  written  four-and-twenty  in  the 
reckoning,  that  is  intended  for  the  eyes  of  the  people.  But 
there  hath  been  great  weakness  at  work  this  night  among  the 
steersmen,  if  not  treachery :  they  have  kept  the  ship  away  in  a 
manner  to  cause  her  to  run  a  part  of  the  time  in  a  direction 
nearly  parallel  to  the  coast  of  Europe,  so  that  they  have  been 
endeavoring  to  deceive  me,  on  the  deck,  while  I  have  thought 
it  necessary  to  attempt  deceiving  them  in  the  cabin.  It  is  pain- 
ful, Don  Luis,  to  find  such  deceptions  resorted  to,  or  such  de- 
ceptions necessary,  when  one  is  engaged  in  an  enterprise  that 
surpasseth  all  others  ever  yet  attempted  by  man,  and  that,  too, 
with  a  view  to  the  glory  of  God,  the  advantage  of  the  human 
race,  and  the  especial  interests  of  Spain." 

"  The  holy  churchmen,  themselves,  Don  Christopher,  are 
obliged  to  submit  to  this  evil,"  answered  the  careless  Luis; 
u  and  it  does  not  become  us  laymen  to  repine  at  what  they  en- 
dure. I  am  told  that  half  the  miracles  they  perform  are,  in 
truth,  miracles  of  but  a  very  indifferent  quality ;  the  doubts  and 
w7ant  of  faith  of  us  hardened  sinners  rendering  such  little  in- 
ventions necessary  for  the  good  of  our  souls." 

"That  there  are  false-minded  and  treacherous  churchmen,  as 
well  as  false-minded  and  treacherous  laymen,  Luis,  I  little 
doubt,"  answered  the  admiral ;  "  but  this  cometh  of  the  fall  of 
man,  and  of  his  evil  nature.  There  are  also  righteous  and  true 
miracles,  that  come  of  the  power  of  God,  and  which  are  intended 
to  uphold  the  faith,  and  to  encourage  those  who  love  and  honor 
his  holy  name.  I  do  not  esteem  any  thing  that  hath  yet  be- 
fallen us  to  belong  very  distinctly  to  this  class  ;  nor  do  I  ven- 
ture to  hope  that  we  are  to  be  favored  in  this  manner  by  an 


288  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

especial  intervention  in  onr  behalf;  bnt  it  exceedeth  all  the 
machinations  of  the  devils  to  persuade  me  that  we  shall  be 
deserted  while  bent  on  so  glorious  a  design,  or  that  we  are  not, 
indirectly  and  secretly,  led,  in  our  voyage,  by  a  spirit  and 
knowledge  that  both  come  of  Divine  grace  and  infinite  wisdom." 

"This  may  be  so,  Don  Christopher,  so  far  as  you  are  con- 
cerned ;  though,  for  myself,  I  claim  no  higher  a  guide  than  an 
angel.  An  angel's  purity,  and,  I  hope  I  may  add,  an  angel's 
love,  lead  me,  in  my  blind  path  across  the  ocean  !" 

"  So  it  seemeth  to  thee,  Luis  ;  but  thou  canst  not  know  that 
a  higher  power  doth  not  use  the  Dona  Mercedes  as  an  instru- 
ment in  this  matter.  Although  no  miracle  rendereth  it  appar- 
ent to  the  vulgar,  a  spirit  is  placed  in  my  breast,  in  conducting 
this  enterprise,  that  I  should  deem  it  blasphemy  to  resist.  God 
be  praised,  my  boy,  we  are  at  last  quit  of  the  Portuguese,  and 
are  fairly  on  our  road  !  At  present  all  our  obstacles  must  arise 
from  the  elements,  or  from  our  own  fears.  It  gladdeneth  my 
heart  to  find  that  the  two  Pinzons  remain  true,  and  that  they 
keep  their  caravels  close  to  the  Santa  Maria,  like  men  bent  on 
maintaining  their  faith,  and  seeing  an  end  of  the  adventure." 

As  Luis  was  now  ready,  he  and  the  admiral  left  the  cabin  to- 
gether. The  sun  had  risen,  and  the  broad  expanse  of  the  ocean 
was  glittering  with  his  rays.  The  wind  had  freshened,  and  was 
gradually  getting  further  to  the  south,  so  that  the  vessels  headed 
up  nearly  to  their  course ;  and,  there  being  but  little  sea,  the 
progress  of  the  fleet  was,  in  proportion,  considerable.  Every 
thing  appeared  propitious ;  and  the  first  burst  of  grief,  on  losing 
sight  of  known  land,  having  subsided,  the  crews  were  more 
tranquil,  though  dread  of  the  future  was  smothered,  like  the 
latent  fires  of  a  volcano,  rather  than  extinguished.  The  aspect 
of  the  sea  was  favorable,  offering  nothing  to  view  that  was  un- 
usual to  mariners  ;  and,  as  there  is  always  something  grateful 
in  a  lively  b^eze,  when  unaccompanied  with  danger,  the  men 
were  probably  encouraged  by  a  state  of  things  to  which  they 
were  accustomed,  and  which  brought  with  it  cheerfulness  and 
hope.     In  the  course  of  the  day  and  night,  the  vessels  ran  a 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  289 

hundred  and  eighty  miles  still  further  into  the  trackless  waste 
of  the  ocean,  without  awakening  half  the  apprehensions  in  the 
bosoms  of  the  mariners  that  they  had  experienced  on  losing 
sight  of  land.  Columbus,  however,  acting  on  the  cautious  prin- 
ciple he  had  adopted,  when  he  laid  before  his  people  the  result 
of  the  twenty-four  hours'  work,  reduced  the  distance  to  about 
one  hundred  and  fifty. 

Tuesday,  the  10th  of  September,  brought  a  still  more  favor- 
able change  of  wind.  This  day,  for  the  first  time  since  quitting 
the  Canaries,  the  heads  of  the  vessels  were  laid  fairly  to  the 
west ;  and,  with  the  old  world  directly  behind  them,  and  the 
unknown  ocean  in  their  front,  the  adventurers  proceeded  on- 
ward with  a  breeze  at  south-east.  The  rate  of  sailing  was  about 
five  miles  in  the  hour  ;  compensating  for  the  want  of  speed,  by 
the  steadiness  of  their  progress,  and  by  the  directness  of  their 
course. 

The  observations  that  are  usually  made  at  sea,  when  the  sun 
is  in  the  zenith,  were  over,  and  Columbus  had  just  announced 
to  his  anxious  companions  that  the  vessels  were  gradually  set- 
ting south,  owing  to  the  drift  of  some  invisible  current,  when  a 
cry  from  the  mast-head  announced  the  proximity  of  a  whale. 
As  the  appearance  of  one  of  these  monsters  of  the  deep  breaks 
the  monotony  of  a  sea  life,  every  one  was  instantly  on  the  look- 
out, some  leaping  into  the  rigging,  and  others  upon  the  rails,  in 
order  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  his  gambols. 

"  Dost  thou  see  him,  Sancho  ?"  demanded  the  admiral  of 
Mundo,  the  latter  being  near  him  at  the  moment.  "  To  me 
the  water  hath  no  appearance  of  any  such  animals  being  at 
hand." 

"  Your  Excellency's  eye,  Senor  Don  Almirante,  is  far  truer 
than  that  of  the  babbler's  aloft.  Sure  as  this  is  the  Atlantic, 
and  yonder  is  the  foam  of  the  crests  of  the  waves,  there  is  no 
whale.' ' 

"  The  flukes ! — the  flukes  !"  shouted  a  dozen  voices  at  once, 
pointing  to  a  spot  where  a  dark  object  arose  above  the  froth  of 
the  sea,  showing  a  pointed  summit,  with  short  arms  extended 


290  MEBCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

on  each  side.  "  He  playeth  with  his  head  beneath  the  water, 
and  the  tail  uppermost!" 

"Alas! — alas!"  exclaimed  the  practised  Sancho,  with  the 
melancholy  of  a  true  seaman,  "  what  these  inexperienced  and 
hasty  brawlers  call  the  fluke  of  a  whale,  is  naught  but  the  mast 
of  «some  unhappy  ship,  that  "hath  left  her  bones,  with  her  freight 
and  her  people,  in  the  depths  of  the  ocean !" 

"  Thou  art  right,  Sancho,"  returned  the  admiral.  "  I  now 
see  that  thou  meanest :  it  is  truly  a  spar,  and  doubtless  betok- 
cneth  a  shipwreck." 

This  fact  passed  swiftly  from  mouth  to  mouth,  and  the  sad- 
ness that  ever  accompanies  the  evidences  of  such  a  disaster, 
settled  on  the  faces  of  all  the  beholders.  The  pilots  alone 
showed  indifference,  and  they  consulted  on  the  expediency  of 
endeavoring  to  secure  the  spar,  as  a  resource  in  time  of  need  ; 
but  they  abandoned  the  attempt  on  acccount  of  the  agitation 
of  the  water,  and  of  the  fairness  of  the  wind,  the  latter  being 
an  advantage  a  true  mariner  seldom  likes  to  lose. 

"  There  is  a  warning  to  us !"  exclaimed  one  of  the  disaffected, 
as  the  Santa  Maria  sailed  past  the  waving  summit  of  the  spar ; 
"  God  hath  sent  this  sign  to  warn  us  not  to  venture  where  he 
never  intended  navigators  to  go  !" 

"Say,  rather," put  in  Sancho,  who,  having  taken  the  fee,  had 
ever  since  proved  a  willing  advocate,  "  it  is  an  omen  of  encour- 
agement sent  from  heaven.  Dost  thou  not  see  that  the  part  of  the 
mast  that  is  visible  resembleth  a  cross,  which  holy  sign  is  in- 
tended to  lead  us  on,  filled  with  hopes  of  success  ?" 

"This  is  true,  Sancho,"  interrupted  Columbus.  "A  cross 
hath  been  reared  for  our  edification,  as  it  might  be,  in  the  midst 
of  the  ocean,  and  we  are  to  regard  it  as  a  proof  that  Providence 
is  with  us,  in  our  attempt  to  carry  its  blessings  to  the  aid  and 
consolation  of  the  heathen  of  Asia." 

As  the  resemblance  to  the  holy  symbol  was  far  from  fanciful, 
this  happy  hit  of  Sancho's  was  not  without  its  effect.  The 
reader  will  understand  the  likeness  all  the  better,  when  he  is 
told  that  the  upper  end  of  a  mast  has  much  the  appearance  of  a 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  291 

cross,  by  means  of  the  trussel-trees ;  and,  as  often  happens,  this 
particular  spar  was  floating  nearly  perpendicular,  owing  to  some 
heavy  object  being  fast  to  its  heel,  leaving  the  summit  raised 
some  fifteen  or  twenty  feet  above  the  surface  of  the  sea.  In  a 
quarter  of  an  hour  this  last  relic  of  Europe  and  of  civilization 
disappeared  in  the  wake  of  the  vessels,  gradually  diminishing  in 
size  and  settling  toward  the  water,  until  its  faint  outlines  van- 
ished in  threads,  still  wearing  the  well-known  shape  of  the  re- 
vered symbol  of  Christianity. 

After  this  little  incident,  the  progress  of  the  vessels  was  unin- 
terrupted by  any  event  worthy  of  notice  for  two  days  and 
nights.  All  this  time  the  wind  was  favorable,  and  the  adventu- 
rers proceeded  due  west,  by  compass,  which  was,  in  fact,  how- 
ever, going  a  little  north  of  the  real  point — a  truth  that  the 
knowledge  of  the  period  had  not  yet  mastered.  Between  the 
morning  of  the  10th  September,  and  the  evening  of  the  13th, 
the  fleet  had  passed  over  near  ninety  leagues  of  ocean,  holding 
its  way  in  a  line  but  a  little  deviating  from  a  direct  one  athwart 
the  great  waste  of  water,  and  having  consequently  reached  a 
point  as  far,  if  not  further  west  than  the  position  of  the  Azores, 
then  the  most  westerly  land  known  to  European  navigators. 
On  the  13th,  the  currents  proved  to  be  adverse,  and,  having  a 
south-easterly  set,  they  had  a  tendency  to  cause  the  ships  to 
sheer  southwardly,  bringing  them,  each  hour,  nearer  to  the 
northern  margin  of  the  trades. 

The  admiral  and  Luis  were  at  their  customary  post,  on  the 
evening  of  the  13th — the  day  last  mentioned — as  Sancho  left 
the  helm,  his  tour  of  duty  having  just  ended.  Instead  of  going 
forward,  as  usual,  among  the  people,  the  fellow  hesitated,  sur- 
veyed the  poop  with  a  longing  eye,  and,  finding  it  occupied 
only  by  the  admiral  and  his  constant  companion,  he  ascended 
the  ladder,  as  if  desirous  of  making  some  communication. 

"Wouldst  thou  aught  with  me,  Sancho?"  demanded  the 
admiral,  waiting  for  the  man  to  make  certain  that  no  one 
else  was  on  the  narrow  deck.  "  Speak  freely  :  thou  hast  my 
confidence." 


292  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

"  Senor  Don  Alinirante,  your  Excellency  well  knoweth  that 
I  ana  no  fresh-water  fish,  to  be  frightened  at  the  sight  of  a  shark 
or  a  whale,  or  one  that  is  terrified  because  a  ship  headeth  west, 
instead  of  east ;  and  yet  I  do  come  to  say  that  this  voyage  is 
not  altogether  without  certain  signs  and  marvels,  that  it  may 
be  well  for  a  mariner  to  respect,  as  unusual,  if  not  ominous." 

"  As  thou  sayest,  Sancho,  thou  art  no  driveller  to  be  terrified 
by  the  flight  of  a  bird,  or  at  the  presage  of  a  drifting  spar,  and 
thou  awakenest  my  curiosity  to  know  more.  The  Senor  de 
Munos  is  my  confidential  secretary,  and  nothing  need  be  hid 
from  him.  Speak  freely,  then,  and  without  further  delay.  If 
gold  is  thy  aim,  be  certain  thou  shalt  have  it." 

"  No,  Senor,  my  news  is  not  worth  a  maravedi,  or  it  is  far 
beyond  the  price  of  gold ;  such  as  it  is,  your  Excellency  can 
take  it,  and  think  no  more#of  my  reward.  You  know,  Senior, 
that  we  old  mariners  will  have  our  thoughts  as  we  stand  at  the 
helm,  sometimes  fancying  the  smiles  and'  good  looks  of  some 
hussy  ashore,  sometimes  remembering  the  flavor  of  rich  fruits 
and  well-savored  mutton ;  and  then,  again,  for  a  wonder,  be- 
thinking us  of  our  sins." 

"  Fellow,  all  this  I  well  know ;  but  it  is  not  matter  for  an 
admiral's  ear." 

"  I  know  not  that,  Senor;  I  have  known  admirals  who  have 
relished  mutton  after  a  long  cruise ;  ay,  and  who  have  bethought 
them,  too,  of  smiling  faces  and  bright  eyes,  and  who,  if  they 
did  not,  at  times,  bethink  them  of  their  sins,  have  done  what 
was  much  worse,  help  to  add  to  the  great  account  that  was 
heaping  up  against  them.     Now,  there  was" — 

"  Let  me  toss  this  vagabond  into  the  sea,  at  once,  Don 
Christopher,"  interrupted  the  impatient  Luis,  making  a  forward 
movement  as  if  to  execute  the  threat,  an  act  which  the  hand  of 
Columbus  arrested;  "we  shall  never  hear  a  tale  the  right  end 
first,  as  long  as  he  remaineth  in  the  ship." 

"  I  thank  you,  my  young  Lord  of  Llera,"  answered  Sancho, 
with  an  ironical  smile;  "  if  you  are  as  ready  at  drowning  sea- 
men, as  you  are  at  unhorsing  Christian  knights  in  the  tourney, 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  293 

and  Infidels  in  the  fray,  I  would  rather  that  another  should  be 
master  of- my  baths.'' 

**  Thou  know'st  me,  knave  ?  Thou  hast  seen  me  on  some 
earlier  voyage." 

"  A  cat  may  look  at  a  king,  Seiior  Conde ;  and  why  not  a 
manner  on  his  passenger  ?  But  spare  your  threats,  and  your 
secret  is  in  safe  hands.  If  we  reach  Cathay,  no  one  will  be 
ashamed  of  having  made  the  voyage ;  and  if  we  miss  it,  it  is 
little  likely  that  any  will  go  back  to  relate  the  precise  manner 
in  which  your  Excellency  was  drowned,  or  starved  to  death,  or 
in  what  other  manner  you  became  a  saint  in  Abraham's  bosom." 

"  Enough  of  this !"  said  Columbus,  sternly  ;  "  relate  what 
thou  hast  to  say,  and  see  that  thou  art  discreet  touching  this 
young  noble." 

"  Senor,  your  word  is  law.  Well,  Don  Christopher,  it  is 
one  of  the  tricks  of  us  mariners,  at  night,  to  be  watching  an  old 
and  constant  friend,  the  north  star;  and  while  thus  occupied 
an  hour  since,  I  noted  that  this  faithful  guide  and  the  compass 
by  which  I  was  steering,  told  different  tales." 

"Art  certain  of  this?"  demanded  the  admiral,  with  a  quick- 
ness and  emphasis  that  betrayed  the  interest  he  felt  in  the 
communication. 

u  As  certain,  Senor,  as  fifty  years'  looking  at  the  star,  and 
forty  years'  watching  of  the  compass  can  make  a  man.  But 
there  is  no  occasion,  your  Excellency,  to  depend  on  my  igno- 
rance, since  the  star  is  still  where  God  placed  it ;  and  there  is 
your  private  compass  at  your  elbow — one  may  be  compared 
with  the  other." 

Columbus  had  already  bethought  him  of  making  this  com- 
parison ;  and  by  the  time  Sancho  ceased  speaking,  he  and  Luis 
were  examining  the  instrument  with  eager  curiosity.  The  first, 
and  the  most  natural,  impression,  was  a  belief  that  the  needle 
of  the  instrument  below  was  defective,  or,  at  least,  influenced 
by  some  foreign  cause  ;  but  an  attentive  observation  soon  con- 
vinced the  navigator  that  the  remark  of  Sancho  was  true.  He 
was  both  astonished  and  concerned  to  find  that  the  habitual 
X3 


291  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

care,  and  professional  eye  of  the  fellow  had  been  active,  and 
quick  to  note  a  change  as  unusual  as  this.  It  was,  indeed,  so 
common  with  mariners  to  compare  their  compasses  with  the 
north  star — a  luminary  that  was  supposed  never  to  vary  its  posi- 
tion in  the  heavens,  as  that  position  related  to  man — that  no 
experienced  seaman,  who  happened  to  be  at  the  helm  at  night- 
fall, could  well  overlook  the  phenomenon. 

After  repeated  observations  with  his  own  compasses,  of  which 
he  kept  two — one  on  the  poop,  and  another  in  the  cabin ;  and 
having  recourse  also  to  the  two  instruments  in  the  binnacle, 
Columbus  was  compelled  to  admit  to  himself  that  all  four  varied, 
alike,  from  their  usual  direction,  nearly  six  degrees.  Instead 
of  pointing  due  north,  or,  at  least,  in  a  direct  line  toward  a 
point  on  the  horizon  immediately  beneath  the  star,  they  pointed 
some  five  or  six  degrees  to  the  westward  of  it.  This  was  both 
a  novel  and  an  astounding  departure  from  the  laws  of  nature, 
as  they  were  then  understood,  and  threatened  to  render  the 
desired  results  of  the  voyage  so  much  the  more  difficult  of 
attainment,  as  it  at  once  deprived  the  adventurers  of  a  sure 
reliance  on  the  mariner's  principal  guide,  and  would  render  it 
difficult  to  sail,  with  any  feeling  of  certainty  as  to  the  course, 
in  cloudy  weather,  or  dark  nights.  The  first  thought  of  the 
admiral,  on  this  occasion,  however,  was  to  prevent  the  effect 
which  such  a  discovery  would  be  likely  to  produce  on  men 
already  disposed  to  anticipate  the  worst. 

"  Thou  wilt  say  nothing  of  this,  Sancho  V  he  observed  to  the 
man.      "  Here  is  another  dobla  to  add  to  thy  store." 

"  Excellency,  pardon  a  humble  seaman's  disobedience,  if  my 
hand  refuse  to  open  to  your  gift.  This  matter  toucheth  of 
supernatural  means ;  and,  as  the  devil  may  have  an  agency  in 
the  miracle,  in  order  to  prevent  our  converting  them  heathen, 
of  whom  you  so  often  speak,  I  prefer  to  keep  my  soul  as  pure 
as  may  be,  in  the  matter,  since  no  one  knoweth  what  weapons 
we  may  be  driven  to  use,  should  we  come  to  real  blows  with  the 
Father  of  Sin." 

"  Thou  wTilt,  at  least,  prove  discreet?" 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  295 

"  Trust  me  for  that,  Senor  Don  Almirante  ;  not  a  word  shall 
pass  my  lips  about  this  matter,  until  I  have  your  Excellency's 
permission  to  speak." 

Columbus  dismissed  the  man,  and  then  he  turned  toward 
Luis,  who  had  been  a  silent  but  attentive  listener  to  what  had 
passed. 

"  You  seem  disturbed  at  this  departure  from  the  usual  laws 
of  the  compass,  Don  Christopher,"  observed  the  young  man, 
gaily.  "  To  me  it  would  seem  better  to  rely  altogether  on 
Providence,  which  would  scarcely  lead  us  out  here,  into  the 
wide  Atlantic,  on  its  own  errand,  and  desert  us  when  we  most 
need  its  aid." 

"  God  implants  in  the  bosom  of  his  servants  a  desire  to  ad- 
vance his  ends,  but  human  agents  are  compelled  to  employ 
natural  means,  and,  in  order  to  use  such  means  advantageously, 
it  is  necessary  to  understand  them.  I  look  upon  this  phenom- 
enon as  a  proof  that  our  voyage  is  to  result  in  discoveries  of 
unknown  magnitude,  among  which,  perhaps,  are  to  be  num- 
bered some  clue  to  the  mysteries  of  the  needle.  The  mineral 
riches  of  Spain  differ,  in  certain  particulars,  from  the  mineral 
riches  of  France  ;  for,  though  some  things  are  common  to  all 
lands,  others  are  peculiar  to  particular  countries.  We  may  find 
regions  where  the  loadstone  abounds,  or  may,  even  now,  be  in 
the  neighborhood  of  some  island  that  hath  an  influence  on  our 
compasses  that  we  cannot  explain." 

"  Is  it  known  that  islands  have  ever  produced  this  effect  on 
the  needle?" 

"  It  is  not — nor  do  I  deem  such  a  circumstance  very  prob- 
able, though  all  things  are  possible.  We  will  wait  patiently 
for  further  proofs  that  this  phenomenon  is  real  and  permanent, 
ere  we  reason  further  on  a  matter  that  is  so  difficult  to  be 
understood." 

The  subject  was  now  dropped,  though  the  unusual  incident 
gave  the  great  navigator  an  uneasy  and  thoughtful  night.  He 
slept  little,  and  often  was  his  eye  fastened  on  the  compass  that 
was  suspended  in  his  cabin  as  a  <[  tell-tale,"   for  so  seamen 


296  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

term  the  instrument  by  which  the  officer  overlooks  the  course 
that  is  steered  by  the  helmsman,  even  when  the  latter  least  sus- 
pects his  supervision.  Columbus  arose  sufficiently  early  to  get 
a  view  of  the  star  before  its  brightness  was  dimmed  by  the  re- 
turn of  light,  and  made  another  deliberate  comparison  of  the 
position  of  this  familiar  heavenly  body  with  the  direction  of 
the  needles.  The  examination  proved  a  slight  increase  of  the 
variation,  and  tended  to  corroborate  the  observations  of  the 
previous  night.  The  result  of  the  reckoning  showed  that  the 
vessels  had  run  nearly  a  hundred  miles  in  the  course  of  the  last 
twenty-four  hours,  and  Columbus  now  believed  himself  to  be 
about  six  times  that  distance  west  of  Ferro,  though  even  the 
pilots  fancied  themselves  by  no  means  as  far. 

As  Sancho  kept  his  secret,  and  no  other  eye  among  the 
helmsmen  was  as  vigilant,  the  important  circumstance,  as  yet, 
escaped  general  attention.  It  was  only  at  night,  indeed,  that 
the  variation  could  be  observed  by  means  of  the  polar  star,  and 
it  was  yet  so  slight  that  no  one  but  a  very  experienced  and  quick- 
eyed  mariner  w^ould  be  apt  to  note  it.  The  whole  of  the  day 
and  night  of  the  14th  consequently  passed  without  the  crew's 
taking  the  alarm,  and  this  so  much  the  more  as  the  wind  had 
fallen,  and  the  vessels  were  only  some  sixty  miles  further  west 
than  when  they  commenced.  Still,  Columbus  noted  the  differ- 
ence, slight  as  was  the  change,  ascertaining,  with  the  precision 
of  an  experienced  and  able  navigator,  that  the  needle  was  grad- 
ually varying  more  and  more  to  the  westward,  though  it  was  by 
steps  that  were  nearly  imperceptible. 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  297 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

"  On  thy  unaltering  blaze 
The  half- wrecked  mariner,  his  compass  lost, 

Fixes  his  steady  gaze, 
And  steers,  undoubting,  to  the  friendly  coast ; 
And  they  who  stray  in  perilous  wastes,  by  night, 
Are  glad  when  thou  dost  shine  to  guide  their  footsteps  right." 

Hymn  to  the  North  Star. 

The  following  day  was  Saturday,  the  15th,  when  the  little 
fleet  was  ten  days  from  Gomera ;  or  it  was  the  sixth  morning 
since  the  adventurers  had  lost  sight  of  the  land.  The  last  week 
had  been  one  of  melancholy  forebodings,  though  habit  was  be- 
ginning to  assert  its  influence,  and  the  men  manifested  openly 
less  uneasiness  than  they  had  done  in  the  three  or  four  previous 
days.  Their  apprehensions  were  getting  to  be  dormant  for  want 
of  any  exciting  and  apparent  stimulus,  though  they  existed  as 
latent  impulses,  in  readiness  to  be  roused  at  the  occurrence  of 
any  untoward  event.  The  wind  continued  fair,  though  light — 
the  whole  twenty-four  hours'  work  showing  considerably  less 
than  a  hundred  miles,  as  the  true  progress  west.  All  this  time 
Columbus  kept  his  attention  fastened  on  the  needles,  and  he 
perceived  that  as  the  vessels  slowly  made  their  westing,  the 
magnets  pointed  more  and  more,  though  by  scarcely  palpable 
changes,  in  the  same  direction. 

The  admiral  and  Luis,  by  this  time,  had  fallen  into  such  hab- 
its- of  close  communication,  that  they  usually  rose  and  slept  at 
the  same  time.  Though  far  too  ignorant  of  the  hazards  he  ran 
to  feel  uneasiness,  and  constitutionally,  as  well  as  morally,  supe- 
rior to  idle  alarms,  the  young  man  had  got  to  feel  a  sort  of 
sportsman's  excitement  in  the  result ;  and,  by  this  time,  had  not 


298  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE 

Mercedes  existed,  he  would  have  been  as  reluctant  to  return 
without  seeing  Cathay,  as  Columbus  himself.  They  conversed 
together  of  their  progress  and  their  hopes,  without  ceasing,  and 
Luis  took  so  much  interest  in  his  situation  as  to  begin  to  learn 
how  to  discriminate  in  matters  that  might  be  supposed  to  affect 
its  duration  and  ends. 

On  the  night  of  the  .  Saturday  just  mentioned,  Columbus 
and  his  reputed  secretary  were  alone  on  the  poop,  convers- 
ing, as  usual,  on  the  signs  of  the  times,  and  of  the  events  of 
the  day. 

"  The  Nina  had  something  to  say  to  you,  last  evening,  Don 
Christopher,"  observed  the  young  man;  "I  was  occupied  in 
the  cabin,  with  my  journal,  and  had  no  opportunity  of  knowing 
what  passed." 

"Her  people  had  seen  a  bird  or  two,  that  are  thought  never 
to  go  far  from  the  land.  It  is  possible  that  islands  are  at  no 
great  distance,  for  man  hath  nowhere  passed  over  any  very  great 
extent  of  sea  without  meeting  with  them.  "We  cannot,  how- 
ever, waste  the  time  necessary  for  a  search,  since  the  glory  and 
profit  of  ascertaining  the  situation  of  a  group  of  islands  would 
be  but  a  poor  compensation  for  the  loss  of  a  continent." 

"  Do  you  still  remark  those  unaccountable  changes  in  the 
needles,  Seiior?" 

"  In  this  respect  there  is  no  change,  except  that  which  goeth 
to  corroborate  the  phenomenon.  My  chief  apprehension  is 
of  the  effect  on  the  people,  when  the  circumstance  shall  be 
known." 

"  Are  there  no  means  to  persuade  them  that  the  needle 
pointeth  thus  west,  as  a  sign  Providence  willeth  they  should 
pursue  that  course,  by  persevering  in  the  voyage  ?" 

"  This  might  do,  Luis,"  answered  the  admiral,  smiling,  "had 
not  fear  so  sharpened  their  wits,  that  their  first  question  would 
be  an  inquiry  why  Providence  should  deprive  us  of  the  means 
of  knowing  whither  we  are  travelling,  when  it  so  much  wisheth 
us  to  go  in  any  particular  direction." 

A  cry  from  the  watch  on  deck  arrested  the  discourse,  while 


M  E  11  C  E  D  E  S      OF      CASTILE.  299 

a  sudden  brightness  broke  on  the  night,  illuminating  the  vessels 
and  the  ocean,  as  if  a  thousand  lamps  were  shedding  their  bril- 
liancy upon  the  surrounding  portion  of  the  sphere.  A  ball  of 
fire  was  glancing  athwart  the  heavens,  and  seemed  to  fall  into 
the  sea,  at  the  distance  of  a  few  leagues,  or  at  the  limits  of  the 
visible  horizon.  Its  disappearance  was  followed  by  a  gloom  as 
profound  as  the  extraordinary  and  fleeting  light  had  been  bril- 
liant. This  was  only  the  passage  of  a  meteor  ;  but  it  was  such 
a  meteor  as  men  do  not  see  more  than  once  in  their  lives — if  it 
is  seen  as  often ;  and  the  superstitious  mariners  did  not  fail  to 
note  the  incident  among  the  extraordinary  omens  that  accompa- 
nied the  voyage ;  some  auguring  good,  and  others  evil,  from  the 
event. 

"By  St.  Iago  I"  exclaimed  Luis,  as  soon  as  the  light  had 
vanished,  "  Senor  Don  Christopher,  this  voyage  of  ours  doth 
not  seem  fated  to  pass  away  unheeded  by  the  elements  and 
other  notable  powers !  Whether  these  portents  speak  in  our 
favor,  or  not,  they  speak  us  any  thing  but  men  engaged  in  an 
every-day  occupation.'7 

"  Thus  it  is  with  the  human  mind !"  returned  Columbus. 
"  Let  but  its  owner  pass  beyond  the  limits  of  his  ordinary 
habits  and  duties,  and  he  sees  marvels  in  the  most  simple 
changes  of  the  weather — in  a  flash  of  lightning — a  blast  of  air 
— or  the  passage  of  a  meteor ;  little  heeding  that  these  miracles 
exist  in  his  own  consciousness,  and  have  no  connection  with 
the  every-day  laws  of  nature.  These  sights  are  by  no  means 
uncommon,  especially  in  low  latitudes  ;  and  they  augur  neither 
for  nor  against  our  enterprise." 

"  Except,  Senor  Almirante,  as  they  may  beset  the  spirits  and 
haunt  the  imaginations  of  the  men.  Sancho  telleth  me,  that  a 
brooding  discontent  is  growing  among  them  ;  and  that,  while 
they  seem  so  tranquil,  their  disrelish  of  the  voyage  is  hourly 
getting  to  be  more  and  more  decided.' ' 

Notwithstanding  this  opinion  of  the  admiral,  and  some  pains 
that  he  afterward  took  to  explain  the  phenomenon  to  the  peo- 
ple on  deck,  the  passage  of  the  meteor  had,  indeed,  not  only 


300  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.. 

produced  a  deep  impression  on  them,  bnt  its  history  went  from 
watch  to  watch,  and  was  the  subject  of  earnest  discourse 
throughout  the  night.  But  the  incident  produced  no  open 
manifestation  of  discontent ;  a  few  deeming  it  a  propitious  omen, 
though  most  secretly  considered  it  an  admonition  from  heaven 
against  any  impious  attempts  to  pry  into  those  mysteries  of 
nature  that,  according  to  their  notions,  God,  in  his  providence, 
had  not  seen  fit  to  reveal  to  man. 

All  this  time  the  vessels  were  making  a  steady  progress  to- 
ward the  west.  The  wind  had  often  varied,  both  in  force  and 
direction,  but  never  in  a  manner  to  compel  the  ships  to  shorten 
sail,  or  to  deviate  from  what  the  admiral  believed  to  be  the 
proper  course.  They  supposed  themselves  to  be  steering  due 
west,  but,  owing  to  the  variation,  were  in  fact  now  holding  a 
west-and-by-south  course,  and  were  gradually  getting  nearer  to 
the  trades  ;  a  movement  in  which  they  had  also  been  materially 
aided  by  the  force  of  the  currents.  In  the  course  of  the  15th 
and  16th  of  the  month,  the  fleet  had  got  about  two  hundred 
miles  further  from  Europe,  Columbus  taking  the  usual  precau- 
tion to  lessen  the  distance  in  the  public  reckoning.  The  latter 
day  was  a  Sunday ;  and  the  religious  offices,  which  were  then 
seldom  neglected  in  a  Christian  ship,  produced  a  deep  and  sub- 
lime effect  on  the  feelings  of  the  adventurers.  Hitherto  the 
weather  had  partaken  of  the  usual  character  of  the  season,  and 
a  few  clouds,  with  a  slight  drizzling  rain,  had  relieved  the  heat; 
but  these  soon  passed  away,  and  were  succeeded  by  a  soft 
south-east  wind,  that  seemed  to  come  charged  with  the  frag- 
rance of  the  land.  The  men  united  in  the  evening  chants, 
under  these  propitious  circumstances ;  the  vessels  drawing  near 
each  other,  as  if  it  might  be  to  form  one  temple  in  honor  of 
God,  amid  the  vast  solitudes  of  an  ocean  that  had  seldom,  if 
ever,  been  whitened  by  a  sail.  Cheerfulness  and  hope  suc- 
ceeded to  this  act  of  devotion,  and  both  were  speedily  height- 
ened by  a  cry  from  the  look-out  aloft,  who  pointed  ahead  and 
to  leeward,  as  if  he  beheld  some  object  of  peculiar  interest  in 
that  quarter.     The  helms  were  varied  a  little  ;  and  in  a  few 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  301 

minutes  the  vessels  entered  into  a  field  of  sea-weed,  that  covered 
the  ocean  for  miles.  This  sign  of  the  vicinity  of  land  was  re- 
ceived by  the  mariners  with  a  shout ;  and  the  very  beings  who 
had  so  shortly  before  been  balancing  on  the  verge  of  despair, 
now  became  elate  with  joy. 

These  weeds  were  indeed  of  a  character  to  awaken  hope  in 
the  bosom  of  the  most  experienced  mariner.  Although  some 
had  lost  their  freshness,  a  great  proportion  of  them  were  still 
green,  and  had  the  appearance  of  having  been  quite  recently 
separated  from  their  parent  rocks,  or  the  earth  that  had  nour- 
ished them.  No  doubt  was  now  entertained,  even  by  the  pilots, 
of  the  vicinity  of  land.  Tunny-fish  were  also  seen  in  numbers, 
and  the  people  of  the  Nina  were  sufficiently  fortunate  to  strike 
one.  The  seamen  embraced  each  other,  with  tears  in  their 
eyes,  and  many  a  hand  was  squeezed  in  friendly  congratulation, 
that  the  previous  day  would  have  been  withheld  in  surly 
misanthropy. 

"  And  do  you  partake  of  all  this  hope,  Don  Christopher  ?"  de- 
manded Luis  ;  "  are  we  really  to  expect  the  Indies  as  a  conse- 
quence of  these  marine  plants,  or  is  the  expectation  idle  ?*' 

"  The  people  deceive  themselves  in  supposing  our  voyage 
near  an  end.  Cathay  must  yet  be  very  distant  from  us.  We 
have  come  but  three  hundred  and  sixty  leagues  since  losing 
sight  of  Ferro,  which,  according  to  my  computations,  cannot  be 
much  more  than  a  third  of  our  journey.  Aristotle  mentioned 
that  certain  vessels  of  Cadiz  were  forced  westward  by  heavy 
gales,  until  they  reached  a  sea  covered  with  weeds,  a  spot  where 
the  tunny- fish  abounded.  This  is  the  fish,  thou  must  know, 
Luis,  that  the  ancients  fancied  could  see  better  with  the  right 
eye  than  with  the  left,  because  it  hath  been  noted  that,  in  pass- 
ing the  Bosphorus,  they  ever  take  the  right  shore  in  proceeding 
toward  the  Euxine,  and  the  left  in  returning" — 

"  By  St.  Francis!  there  can  be  no  wonder  if  creatures  so 
one  sided  in  their  vision,  should  have  strayed  thus  far  from 
home,"  interrupted  the  light-hearted  Luis,  laughing.  "Doth 
Aristotle,  or  the  other  ancients,   tell  us  how  they  regarded 


•302  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

beauty  ;  or  whether  their  notions  of  justice  were  like  those  of 
the  magistrate  who  hath  been  fed  by  both  parties  ?" 

"  Aristotle  speaketh  only  of  the  presence  of  the  fish  in  tho 
weedy  ocean,  as  we  see  them  before  us.  The  mariners  of  Cadiz 
fancied  themselves  in  the  neighborhood  of  sunken  islands,  and, 
the  wind  permitting,  made  the  best  of  their  way  back  to  their 
own  shores.  This  place,  in  my  judgment,  we  have  now  reach- 
ed ;  but  I  expect  to  meet  with  no  land,  unless,  indeed,  we  may 
happen  to  fall  in  with  some  island  that  lieth  off  here  in  the 
ocean,  as  a  sort  of  beacon  between  the  shore  of  Europe  and 
that  of  Asia.  Doubtless  land  is  not  distant,  whence  these 
weeds  have  drifted,  but  I  attach  little  importance  to  its  sight,  or 
discovery.  Cathay  is  my  aim,  Don  Luis,  and  I  am  a  searcher 
for  continents,  not  islands." 

It  is  now  known  that  while  Columbus  was  right  in  his  expec- 
tations of  not  finding  a  continent  so  early,  he  was  mistaken  in 
supposing  land  to  lie  any  where  in  that  vicinity.  Whether 
these  wTeeds  are  collected  by  the  course  of  the  currents,  or 
whether  they  rise  from  the  bottom,  torn  from  their  beds  by  the 
action  of  the  water,  is  not  yet  absolutely  ascertained,  though 
the  latter  is  the  most  common  opinion,  extensive  shoals  exist- 
ing in  this  quarter  of  the  ocean.  Under  the  latter  supposition, 
the  mariners  of  Cadiz  were  nearer  the  truth  than  is  first  appar- 
ent, a  sunken  island  having  all  the  characteristics  of  a  shoal, 
but  those  which  may  be  supposed  to  be  connected  with  the 
mode  of  formation. 

No  land  was  seen.  The  vessels  continued  their  progress  at  a 
rate  but  little  varying  from  five  miles  the  hour,  shoving  aside 
the  weeds,  which  at  times  accumulated  in  masses,  under  their 
bows,  but  which  could  offer  no  serious  obstacle  to  their  prog- 
ress. As  for  the  admiral,  so  lofty  were  his  views,  so  steady  his 
opinions  concerning  the  great  geographical  problem  he  was 
about  to  solve,  and  so  determined  his  resolution  to  persevere  to 
the  end,  that  he  rather  hoped  to  miss  than  to  fall  in  with  the 
islands,  that  he  fancied  could  be  at  no  great  distance.  The 
day  and  night  carried  the  vessels  rather  more  than  one  hundred 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  303 

aiijos  to  the  westward,  placing  the  fleet  not  far  from  midway 
between  the  meridians  that  bounded  the  extreme  western  and 
eastern  margins  of  the  two  continents,  though  still  much  nearer 
to  Africa  than  to  America,  following  the  parallel  of  latitude  on 
which  it  was  sailing.  As  the  wind  continued  steady,  and  the 
sea  was  as  smooth  as  a  river,  the  three  vessels  kept  close  to- 
gether, the  Pinta,  the  swiftest  craft,  reducing  her  canvas  for 
that  purpose.  During  the  afternoon's  watch  of  the  day  that 
succeeded  that  of  the  meeting  with  the  weeds,  which  was  Mon- 
day, the  17th  September,  or  the  eighth  day  after  losing  sight 
of  Ferro,  Martin  Alonzo  Pinzon  hailed  the  Santa  Maria,  and 
acquainted  the  pilot  on  deck  of  his  intention  to  get  the  ampli- 
tude of  the  sun,  as  soon  as  the  luminary  should  be  low  enough, 
with  a  view  to  ascertain  how  far  his  needles  retained  their 
virtue.  This  observation,  one  of  no  unusual  occurrence  among 
mariners,  it  was  thought  had  better  be  made  in  all  the  caravels 
simultaneously,  that  any  error  of  one  might  be  corrected  by  the 
greater  accuracy  of  the  rest. 

Columbus  and  Luis  were  in  a  profound  sleep  in  their  cots, 
taking  their  siestas,  when  the  former  was  awakened  by  such  a 
shake  of  the  shoulder  as  seamen  are  wont  to  give,  and  are  con- 
tent to  receive.  It  never  required  more  than  a  minute  to  arouse 
the  great  navigator  from  his  deepest  slumbers  to  the  fullest  pos- 
session of  his  faculties,  and  he  was  awake  in  an  instant. 

"  Senor  Don  Almirante,"  said  Sancho,  who  was  the  intruder, 
"it  is  time  to  be  stirring:  all  the  pilots  are  on  deck  in  readi- 
ness to  measure  the  amplitude  of  the  sun,  as  soon  as  the  heav- 
enly bodies  are  in  their  right  places.  The  west  is  already  be- 
ginning to  look  like  a  dying  dolphin,  and  ere  many  minutes  it 
will  be  gilded  like  the  helmet  of  a  Moorish  Sultan." 

"  An  amplitude  measured !"  exclaimed  Columbus,  quitting 
his  cot  on  the  instant.  "  This  is  news,  indeed  !  Now  we  may 
look  for  such  a  stir  among  the  people,  as  hath  not  been  witness* 
ed  since  we  left  Cadiz  !" 

"  So  it  hath  appeared  to  me,  your  Excellency,  for  the  mari- 
ner hath  some  such  faith  in  the  needle  as  the  churchman  be- 


304  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

stoweth  on  the  goodness  of  the  Son  of  God.  The  people  are  in 
a  happy  humor  at  this  moment,  but  the  saints  only  know  what 
is  to  come !" 

The  admiral  awoke  Luis,  and  in  five  minutes  both  were  at 
their  customary  station  on  the  poop.  Columbus  had  gained  so 
high  a  reputation  for  skill  in  navigation,  his  judgment  invaria- 
bly proving  right,  even  when  opposed  to  those  of  all  the  pilots 
in  the  fleet,  that  the  latter  were  not  sorry  to  perceive  he  had 
no  intention  to  take  an  instrument  in  hand,  but  seemed  disposed 
to  leave  the  issue  to  their  own  skill  and  practice.  The  sun 
slowly  settled,  the  proper  time  was  watched,  and  then  these 
rude  mariners  set  about  their  task,  in  the  mode  that  was  prac- 
tised in  their  time.  Martin  Alonzo  Pinzon,  the  most  ready  and 
best  taught  of  them  all,  was  soonest  through  with  his  task. 
From  his  lofty  stand,  the  admiral  could  overlook  the  deck  of 
the  Pinta,  which  vessel  was  sailing  but  a  few  hundred  yards 
from  the  Santa  Maria,  and  it  was  not  long  before  he  observed 
her  commander  moving  from  one  compass  to  another,  in  the 
manner  of  a  man  who  was  disturbed.  Another  minute  or  two 
elapsed,  when  the  skiff  of  the  caravel  was  launched  ;  a  sign  was 
made  for  the  admiral's  vessel  to  shorten  sail,  and  Martin  Alonzo 
was  soon  forcing  his  way  through  the  weeds  that  still  covered 
the  surface  of  the  ocean,  toward  the  Santa  Maria.  As  he  gained 
the  deck  of  the  latter  ship,  on  one  of  her  sides,  his  kinsman, 
Vicente  Yanez,  the  commander  of  the  Nina,  did  the  same  thing 
on  the  other.  In  the  next  instant  both  were  at  the  side  of  the 
great  navigator,  on  the  poop,  whither  they  had  been  followed 
by  Sancho  Ruiz  and  Bartolemeo  Roldan,  the  two  pilots  of  the 
admiral. 

"What  meaneth  this  haste,  good  Martin  Alonzo?"  calmly 
asked  Columbus:  "  thou  and  thy  brother,  Vicente  Yanez,  and 
these  honest  pilots,  hurry  toward  me  as  if  ye  had  cheering 
tidings  from  Cathay." 

"  God  only  knoweth,  Senor  Almirante,  if  any  of  us  are  ever 
to  be  permitted  to  see  that  distant  land,  or  any  shore  that  is 
only  to  be  reached  by  mariners  through  the  aid  of  a  needle," 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  305 

answered  the  elder  Pinzon,  with  a  haste  that  almost  rendered 
him  breathless.  "  Here  have  we  all  been  at  the  comparison  of 
the  instruments,  and  we  find  them,  without  a  single  excep- 
tion, varying  from  the  true  north,  by,  at  least,  a  full  point  I" 

" That  would  be  a  marvel,  truly!  Ye  have  made  some  over- 
sight in  your  observations,  or  have  been  heedless  in  the  estimates.11 

"  Not  so,  noble  admiral,"  put  in  Vicente  Yaiiez,  to  sustain 
his  brother.  "Even  the  magnets  are  becoming  false  to  us;  and 
as  I  mentioned  the  circumstance  to  the  oldest  steersman  of  my 
craft,  he  assures  me  that  the  north  star  did  not  tally  with  his 
instrument  throughout  the  night  I" 

"  Others  say  the  same,  here,"  added  Ruiz — "nay,  some  are 
ready  to  swear  that  the  wonder  hath  been  noted  ever  since  we 
entered  the  sea  of  weeds  !" 

"This  may  be  so,  Senores,"  answered  Columbus,  with  an  un- 
disturbed mien,  "and  yet  no  evil  follow.  We  all  know  that 
the  heavenly  bodies  have  their  revolutions,  some  of  which  no 
doubt  are  irregular,  while  others  are  more  in  conformity  with 
certain  settled  rules.  Thus  it  is  with  the  sun  himself,  which 
passeth  once  around  the  earth  in  the  short  space  of  twenty-four 
hours,  while  no  doubt  he  hath  other,  and  more  subtile  move- 
ments, that  are  unknown  to  us,  on  account  of  the  exceeding  dis- 
tance at  which  he  is  placed  in  the  heavens.  Many  astronomers 
have  thought  that  they  have  been  able  to  detect  these  varia- 
tions, spots  having  been  seen  on  the  disc  of  the  orb  at  times, 
which  have  disappeared,  as  if  hid  behind  the  body  of  the  lumi- 
nary. I  think  it  will  be  found  that  the  north  star  hath  made 
some  slight  deviation  in  its  position,  and  that  it  will  continue 
thus  to  move  for  some  short  period,  after  which,  no  doubt,  it 
will  be  found  returning  to  its  customary  position,  when  it  will 
be  seen  that  its  temporary  eccentricity  hath  in  no  manner  dis- 
turbed its  usual  harmony  with  the  needles.  Note  the  star  well 
throughout  the  night,  and  in  the  morning  let  the  amplitude  be 
again  taken,  when  I  think  the  truth  of  my  conjecture  will  be 
proved  by  the  regularity  of  the  movement  of  the  heavenly  body. 
So  far  from  being  discouraged  by  this  sign,  we  ought  rather  to 


306  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

rejoice  that  we  have  made  a  discovery,  which,  of  itself,  will  en- 
title the  expedition  to  the  credit  of  having  added  materially  to 
the  stores  of  science  !" 

The  pilots  were  fain  to  he  satisfied  with  this  solution  of  their 
doubts,  in  the  absence  of  any  other  means  of  accounting  for 
them.  They  remained  long  on  the  poop  discoursing  of  the 
strange  occurrence  ;  and  as  men,  even  in  their  blindest  moods, 
usually  reason  themselves  into  either  tranquillity  or  apprehen- 
sion, they  fortunately  succeeded  in  doing  the  first  on  this  occa- 
sion. With  the  men  there  was  more  difficulty,  for  when  it 
became  known  to  the  crews  of  the  three  vessels  that  the  needles 
had  begun  to  deviate  from  their  usual  direction,  a  feeling  akin 
to  despair  seized  on  them,  almost  without  exception.  Here 
Sancho  was  of  material  service.  When  the  panic  was  at  its 
height,  and  the  people  were  on  the  point  of  presenting  them- 
selves to  the  admiral,  with  a  demand  that  the  heads  of  the 
caravels  should  be  immediately  turned  toward  the  north-east, 
he  interposed  with  his  knowledge  and  influence  to  calm  the 
tumult.  The  first  means  this  trusty  follower  had  recourse  to, 
in  order  to  bring  his  shipmates  back  to  reason,  was  to  swear, 
without  reservation,  that  he  had  frequently  known  the  needle 
and  the  north  star  to  vary,  having  witnessed  the  fact  with  his 
own  eyes  on  twenty  previous  occasions,  and  no  harm  to  come 
of  it.  He  invited  the  elder  and  more  experienced  seamen  to 
make  an  accurate  observation  of  the  difference  which  already 
existed,  which  was  quite  a  point  of  the  compass,  and  then  to 
see,  in  the  morning,  if  this  difference  had  not  increased  in  the 
same  direction. 

"  This,"  he  continued,  "  will  be  a  certain  sign,  my  friends, 
that  the  star  is  in  motion,  since  we  can  all  see  that  the  com- 
passes are  just  where  they  have  been  ever  since  we  left  Palos  de 
Moguer.  When  one  of  two  things  is  in  motion,  and  it  is  cer- 
tain which  stands  still,  there  can  be  no  great  difficulty  in  say- 
ing which  is  the  uneasy  one.  Now,  look  thou  here,  Martin 
Martinez,"  who  was  one  of  the  most  factious  of  the  disaffected ; 
u  words  are  of  little  use  when  men  can  prove  their  meaning  by 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 


30* 


experiments  like  this.  Thou  seest  two  balls  of  spun-yarn  on 
this  windlass ;  well,  it  is  wanted  to  be  known  which  of  them 
remains  there,  and  which  is  taken  away.  I  remove  the  smallest 
ball,  thou  perceivest,  and  the  largest  remains ;  from  which  it 
followeth,  as  only  one  can  remain,  and  that  one  is  the  larger 
ball,  why  the  smaller  must  be  taken  away.  I  hold  no  man  fit 
to  steer  a  caravel,  by  needle  or  by  star,  who  will  deny  a  thing 
that  is  proven  as  plainly  and  as  simply  as  this !" 

Martin  Martinez,  though  a  singularly  disaffected  man,  was  no 
logician;  and,  Sancho's  oaths  backing  his  demonstrations  to 
the  letter,  his  party  soon  became  the  most  numerous.  As  there 
is  nothing  so  encouraging  to  the  dull-minded  and  discontented 
mutineer,  as  to  perceive  that  he  is  of  the  strongest  side,  so  is 
there  nothing  so  discouraging  as  to  find  himself  in  the  minority  ; 
and  Sancho  so  far  prevailed  as  to  bring  most  of  his  fellows 
round  to  a  belief  in  the  expediency  of  waiting  to  ascertain  the 
state  of  things  in  the  morning,  before  they  committed  them- 
selves by  any  act  of  rashness. 

"  Thou  hast  done  well,  Sancho,"  said  Columbus,  an  hour 
later,  when  the  mariner  came  secretly  to  make  his  nightly  re- 
port of  the  state  of  feeling  among  the  people.  "  Thou  hast 
done  well  in  all  but  these  oaths,  taken  to  prove  that  thou  hast 
witnessed  this  phenomenon  before.  Much  as  I  have  navigated 
the  earth,  and  careful  as  have  been  my  observations,  and  ample 
as  have  been  my  means,  never  before  have  I  known  the  needle 
to  vary  from  its  direction  toward  the  north  star :  and  I  think 
that  which  hath  escaped  my  notice  would  not  be  apt  to  attract 
thine.' ' 

"  You  do  me  injustice,  Senor  Don  Almirante,  and  have 
.nflicted  a  wound  touching  my  honesty,  that  a  dobla  only  can 
°,ure*? — 

"Thou  knowest,  Sancho,  that  no  one  felt  more  alarm  when 
the  deviation  of  the  needle  was  first  noted,  than  thyself.  So 
great,  in  sooth,  was  thy  apprehension,  that  thou  even  refused  to 
receive  gold,  a  weakness  of  which  thou  art  usually  exceeding- 
ly innocent." 


V>OH  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

"  Wlien  the  deviation  was  first  noted,  your  Excellency,  tins 
was  true  enough  ;  for,  not  to  attempt  to  mislead  one  who  hath 
more  penetration  than  befalleth  ordinary  men,  I  did  fancy  that 
our  hopes  of  ever  seeing  Spain  or  St.  Clara  de  Moguer  again, 
were  so  trifling  as  to  make  it  of  no  great  consequence  who  was 
admiral,  and  who  a  simple  helmsman." 

"  And  yet  thou  wouldst  now  brazen  it  out,  and  deny  thy 
terror  !  Didst  thou  not  swear  to  thy  fellows,  that  thou  hadst 
often  seen  this  deviation  before ;  ay,  even  on  as  many  as  twenty 
occasions  ?" 

"  Well,  Excellency,  this  is  a  proof  that  a  cavalier  may  make 
a  very  capital  viceroy  and  admiral,  and  know  all  about  Cathay, 
without  having  the  clearest  notions  of  history  !  I  told  my 
shipmates,  Don  Christopher,  that  I  had  noted  these  changes 
before  this  night,  and  if  tied  to  the  stake  to  be  burnt  as  a 
martyr,  as  I  sometimes  think  will  one  day  be  the  fate  of  all  of 
us  superfluously  honest  men,  I  would  call  on  yourself,  Senor 
Almirante,  as  the  witness  of  the  truth  of  what  I  had  sworn  to." 

"  Thou  wouldst,  then,  summon  a  most  unfortunate  witness, 
Sancho,  since  I  neither  practise  false  oaths  myself,  nor  encourage 
their  use  in  others." 

"Don  Luis  de  Bobadilla  y  Pedro  de  Muiios,  here,  would 
then  be  my  reliance,"  said  the  imperturbable  Sancho;  "  for 
proof  a  man  hath  a  right  to,  when  wrongfully  accused,  and 
proof  I  will  have.  Your  Excellency  will  please  to  remember 
that  it  was  on  the  night  of  Saturday,  the  15th,  that  I  first  noti- 
fied your  worship  of  this  very  change,  and  that  we  are  now  at 
the  night  of  Monday,  the  17th.  I  swore  to  twenty  times  noting 
this  phenomenon,  as  it  is  called,  in  those  eight-and-forty  hours, 
when  it  would  have  been  nearer  the  truth  had  I  said  two  hun- 
dred times.  Santa  Maria  !  I  did  nothing  but  note  it  for  the 
first  few  hours !" 

"  Go  to,  Sancho ;  thy  conscience  hath  its  latitude  as  well  as 
its  longitude  ;  but  thou  hast  thy  uses.  Now,  that  thou  under- 
standest  the  reason  of  the  variation,  however,  thou  wilt  en- 
courage thy  fellows,  as  well  as  keep  up  thy  spirits." 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  309 

"  I  make  no  question  that  it  is  all  as  your  Excellency  sayeth 
about  the  star's  travelling,"  returned  Sancho  ;  "  and  it  hath 
crossed  my  mind  that  it  is  possible  we  are  nearer  Cathay  than 
we  have  thought ;  this  movement  being  made  by  some  evil- 
disposed  spirits  on  purpose  to  make  us  lose  the  way." 

"  Go  to  thy  hammock,  knave,  and  bethink  thee  of  thy  sins  ; 
leaving  the  reasons  of  these  mvsteries  to  those  who  are  better 
taught.     There  is  thy  dobla,  and  see  that  thou  art  discreet." 

In  the  morning  every  being  in  the  three  caravels  waited  im- 
patiently for  the  results  of  the  new  observations.  As  the  wind 
continued  favorable,  though  far  from  fresh,  and  a  current  was 
found  setting  to  the  westward,  the  vessels  had  made,  in  the 
course  of  twenty-four  hours,  more  than  a  hundred  and  fifty  miles, 
which  rendered  the  increase  in  the  variation  perceptible,  thus 
corroborating  a  prophecy  of  Columbus,  that  had  been  ventured 
on  previous  observation.  So  easily  are  the  ignorant  the  dupes 
of  the  plausible,  that  this  solution  temporarily  satisfied  ail 
doubts,  anol  it  was  generally  believed  that  the  star  had  moved, 
while  the  needle  remained  true. 

How  far  Columbus  was  misled  by  his  own  logic  in  this  affair, 
is  still  a  matter  of  doubt.  That  he  resorted  to  deceptions 
which  might  be  considered  innocent,  in  order  to  keep  up  the 
courage  of  his  companions,  is  seen  in  the  fact  of  the  false,  or 
public  reckoning ;  but  there  is  no  proof  that  this  was  one  of  the 
instances  in  which  he  had  recourse  to  such  means.  No  person 
of  any  science  believed,  even  when  the  variation  of  the  compass 
was  unknown,  that  the  needle  pointed  necessarily  to  the  polar 
star :  the  coincidence  in  the  direction  of  the  magnetic  needle 
and  the  position  of  the  heavenly  body,  being  thought  acciden- 
tal; and  there  is  nothing  extravagant  in  supposing  that  the 
admiral — who  had  the  instrument  in  his  possession,  and  was 
able  to  ascertain  that  none  of  its  virtue  was  visibly  lost,  while  ho 
could  only  reason  from  supposed  analogy  concerning  the  evolu- 
tions of  the  star — should  imagine  that  a  friend  he  had  ever 
found  so  faithful,  had  now  deserted  him,  leaving  him  disposed 
to  throw  the  whole  mystery  of  the  phenomenon  on  the  moro 


010  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

distant  dwellers  in  space.  Two  opinions  have  been  ventured 
concerning  the  belief  of  the  celebrated  navigator,  in  the  theory 
he  advanced  on  this  occasion ;  the  one  affirming,  and  the  other 
denying  his  good  faith  in  urging  the  doctrine  he  had  laid 
down.  Those  who  assert  the  latter,  however,  would  seem  to 
reason  a  little  loosely  themselves,  their  argument  mainly  resting 
on  the  improbability  of  a  man  like  Columbus  uttering  so  gross 
a  scientific  error,  at  a  time  when  science  itself  knew  no  more  of 
the  existence  of  the  phenomenon,  than  is  known  to-day  of  its 
cause.  Still  it  is  possible  that  the  admiral  may  not  have  had 
any  settled  notions  on  the  subject,  even  while  he  was  half  in- 
clined to  hope  his  explanation  was  correct ;  for  it  is  certain 
that,  in  the  midst  o£  the  astronomical  and  geographical  igno- 
rance of  his  age,  this  extraordinary  man  had  many  accurate  and 
sublime  glimpses  of  truths  that  were  still  in  embryo  as  respected 
their  development  and  demonstration  by  the  lights  of  precise 
and  inductive  reasoning. 

Fortunately,  if  the  light  brought  with  it  the  means  of  ascer- 
taining with  certainty  the  variation  of  the  needle,  it  also  brought 
the  means  of  perceiving  that  the  sea  was  still  covered  with 
weeds,  and  other  signs  that  were  thought  to  be  encouraging,  as 
connected  with  the  vicinity  of  land.  The  current  being  now 
in  the  same  direction  as  the  wind,  the  surface  of  the  ocean 
was  literally  as  smooth  as  that  of  an  inland  sheet  of  water,  and 
the  vessels  were  enabled  to  sail,  without  danger,  within  a  few 
fathoms  of  each  other. 

"  This  weed,  Seiior  Almirante,"  called  out  the  elder  Pinzon, 
u  hath  the  appearance  of  that  which  groweth  on  the  banks  of 
streams,  and  I  doubt  that  we  are  near  to  the  mouth  of  some 
exceeding  great  river !" 

"  This  may  be  so,"  returned  Columbus;  "than  which  there 
can  be  no  more  certain  sign  than  may  be  found  in  the  taste  of 
the  water.     Let  a  bucket  be  drawn,  that  we  may  know." 

While  Pepe  was  busied  in  executing  this  order,  waiting  until 
the  vessel  had  passed  through  a  large  body  of  weeds  for  that 
purpose,  the  quick  eye  of  the   admiral  detected  a  crab  strug- 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  311 

gling  on  the  surface  of  the  fresh-looking  plants,  and  he  called 
to  the  helmsman  in  sufficient  season,  to  enable  him  so  far  to 
vary  his  course,  as  to  allow  the  animal  to  be  taken. 

"Here  is  a  most  precious  prize,  good  Martin  Alonzo,"  said 
Columbus,  holding  the  crab  between  a  finger  and  thumb,  that 
the  other  might  see  it.  u  These  animals  are  never  known  to 
go  further  than  some  eighty  leagues  from  the  land ;  and  see, 
Senor,  yonder  is  one  of  the  white  tropic  birds,  which,  it  is  said, 
never  sleep  on  the  water  !  Truly,  God  favoreth  us ;  and  what 
rendereth  all  these  tokens  more  grateful,  is  the  circumstance 
of  their  coming  from  the  west — the  hidden,  unknown,  mysteri- 
ous west I" 

A  common  shout  burst  from  the  crews  at  the  appearance  of 
these  signs,  and  again  the  beings  who  lately  had  been  on  the 
verge  of  despair,  were  buoyed  up  with  hope,  and  ready  to  see 
propitious  omens  in  even  the  most  common  occurrences  of  the 
ocean.  All  the  vessels  had  hauled  up  buckets  of  water,  and 
fifty  mouths  were  immediately  wet  with  the  brine ;  and  so 
general  was  the  infatuation,  that  every  man  declared  the  sea  far 
less  salt  than  usual.  So  complete,  indeed,  was  the  delusion  cre- 
ated by  these  cheerful  expectations,  and  so  thoroughly  had  all 
concern  in  connection  with  the  moving  star  been  removed  by 
the  sophism  of  Sancho,  that  even  Columbus,  habitually  so 
wary,  so  reasoning,  so  calm,  amid  his  loftiest  views,  yielded  to 
his  native  enthusiasm,  and  fancied  that  he  was  about  to  discov- 
er some  vast  island,  placed  midway  between  Asia  and  Europe  ; 
an  honor  not  to  be  despised,  though  it  fell  so  far  short  of  his 
higher  expectations. 

"  Truly,  friend  Martin  Alonzo,"  he  said,  "  this  water  seem- 
eth  to  have  less  of  the  savor  of  the  sea,  than  is  customary  at  a 
distance  from  the  outlet  of  large  rivers  I" 

"My  palate  telleth  the  same  tale,  Senor  Almirante.  As  a 
further  signf  the  Nina  hath  struck  another  tunny,  and  her  peo- 
ple are  at  this  moment  hoisting  it  in." 

Shout  succeeded  shout,  as  each  new  encouraging  proof  ap- 
peared ;  and  the  admiral,  yielding  to  the  ardor  of  the  crews, 


312 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 


ordered  sail  to  be  pressed  on  all  the  vessels,  that  each  might 
endeavor  to  outstrip  the  others,  in  the  hope  of  being  the  first 
to  discover  the  expected  island.  This  strife  soon  separated  the 
caravels,  the  Pinta  easily  outsailing  the  other  two,  while  the 
Santa  Maria  and  the  Nina  came  on  more  slowly,  in  her  rear. 
All  was  gaiety  and  mirth,  the  livelong  day,  on  board  those  iso- 
lated vessels,  that,  unknown  to  those  they  held,  were  navigating 
the  middle  of  the  Atlantic,  with  horizon  extending  beyond 
horizon,  without  change  in  the  watery  boundary,  as  circle  would 
form  without  circle,  on  the  same  element,  were  a  vast  mass  of 
solid  matter  suddenly  dropped  into  the  -sea. 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  313 


CHAPTER   XIX. 

*  The  sails  were  filled,  and  fair  the  light  winds  blew, 
As  glad  to  waft  him  from  his  native  home ; 
And  fast  the  white  rocks  faded  from  his  view, 
And  soon  were  lost  in  circumambient  foam : 
And  then,  it  may  be,  of  his  wish  to  roam 
Repented  he,  but  in  his  bosom  slept 
The  silent  thought,  nor  from  his  lips  did  come 
One  word  of  wail,  whilst  others  sate  and  wept, 
And  to  the  reckless  gales  unmanly  moaning  kept." 

Childe  Harold^  Pilgrimage. 

As  night  drew  near,  the  Pinta  shortened  sail,  permitting  her 
consorts  to  close.  All  eyes  now  turned  anxiously  to  the  west, 
where  it  was  hoped  that  land  might  at  any  moment  appear. 
The  last  tint,  however,  vanished  from  the  horizon,  and  darkness 
enveloped  the  ocean  without  bringing  any  material  change. 
The  wind  still  blew  a  pleasant  breeze  from  the  south-east,  and  the 
surface  of  the  ocean  offered  little  more  inequality  than  is  usually 
met  on  the  bosoms  of  large  rivers.  The  compasses  showed  a 
slightly  increasing  deviation  from  their  old  coincidence  with  the 
polar  star,  and  no  one  doubted,  any  longer,  that  the  fault  was 
in  the  heavenly  body.  All  this  time  the  vessels  were  getting  to 
the  southward,  steering,  in  fact,  west  and  by  south,  when  they 
thought  they  were  steering  west — a  circumstance  that  alone 
prevented  Columbus  from  first  reaching  the  coast  of  Georgia, 
or  that  of  the  Carolinas,  since,  had  he  missed  the  Bermudas, 
the  current  of  the  Gulf  Stream  meeting  him  on  his  weather 
bow,  he  would  have  infallibly  been  set  well  to  the  northward, 
as  he  neared  the  continent. 

The  night  passed  as  usual,  and  at  noon  of  the  lVth,  or  at  the 
termination  of  the  nautical  day,  the  fleet  had  left  another  long 


314  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

track  of  ocean  between  it  and  the  old  world.  The  weeds  were 
disappearing,  and  with  them  the  tunny -fish,  which  were,  in  truth, 
feeding  on  the  products  of  shoals  that  mounted  several  thousands 
of  feet  nearer  to  the  surface  of  the  water,  than  was  the  case 
with  the  general  bed  of  the  Atlantic.  The  vessels  usually  kept 
near  each  other  at  noon,  in  order  to  compare  their  observations ; 
but  the  Pinta,  which,  like  a  swift  steed,  was  with  difficulty  re- 
strained, shot  ahead,  until  the  middle  of  the  afternoon,  when, 
as  usual,  she  lay-by  for  the  admiral  to  close.  As  the  Santa 
Maria  came  sweeping  on,  the  elder  Pinzon  stood,  cap  in  hand, 
ready  to  speak  her,  waiting  only  for  her  to  come  within  sound 
of  his  voice. 

"  God  increaseth  the  signs  of  land,  and  the  motives  of  en- 
couragement, Seiior  Don  Christopher,"  he  called  out,  cheer- 
fully, while  the  Pinta  filled  her  sails  in  order  to  keep  way  with 
the  admiral.  "  We  have  seen  large  flights  of  birds  ahead,  and 
the  clouds  at  the  north  look  heavy  and  dense,  as  if  hovering 
over  some  island,  or  continent,  in  that  quarter." 

"Thou  art  a  welcome  messenger,  worthy  Martin  Alonzo ; 
though  I  wish  thee  to  remember,  that  the  most  I  expect  to 
meet  with  in  this  longitude  is  some  cluster  of  pleasant  islands, 
Asia  being  yet  several  days'  sail  more  distant.  As  the  night 
approacheth,  thou  wilt  see  thy  clouds  take  still  more  of  the  form 
of  the  land,  and  I  doubt  that  groups  may  be  found  on  each  side 
of  us ;  but  our  high  destination  is  Cathay,  and  men  with  such  an 
object  before  them,  may  not  turn  aside  for  any  lesser  errand." 

"  Have  I  your  leave,  noble  admiral,  to  push  ahead  in  the 
Pinta,  that  our  eyes  may  first  be  greeted  with  the  grateful  sight 
of  Asia  ?     I  nothing  doubt  of  seeing  it  ere  morning." 

"  Go,  of  God's  sake,  good  pilot,  if  thouthinkest  this  ;  though 
I  warn  thee  that  no  continent  can  yet  meet  thine  eyes.  Never- 
theless, as  any  land  in  these  distant  and  unknown  seas  must 
be  a  discovery,  and  bring  credit  on  Castile,  as  well  as  on 
ourselves,  he  who  first  perceiveth  it  will  merit  the  reward. 
Thou,  or  any  one  else,  hath  my  full  permission  to  discover  is- 
lands, or  continents,  in  thousands." 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  315 

The  people  laughed  at  this  sally,  for  the  light-hearted  are 
easily  excited  to  mirth  ;  and  then  the  Pinta  shot  ahead.  As 
the  sun  set,  she  was  seen  again  lying-to  for  her  companions — 
a  dark  speck  on  the  rainbow  colors  of  the  glorious  sky.  The 
horizon  at  the  north  presented  masses  of  clouds,  in  which  it  was 
not  difficult  to  fancy  the  summits  of  ragged  mountains,  receding 
valleys,  with  headlands,  and  promontories,  foreshortened  by 
distance. 

The  following  day  the  wind  baffled,  for  the  first  time  since 
encountering  the  trades;  and  the  clouds  collected  over-head, 
dispersing  drizzling  showers  on  the  navigators.  The  vessels 
now  lay  near  each  other,  and  conversation  flew  from  one  to  the 
other — boats  passing  and  repassing,  constantly. 

"  I  have  come,  Seiior  Almirante,"  said  the  elder  Pinzon,  as 
he  reached  the  deck  of  the  Santa  Maria,  "  at  the  united  request 
of  my  people,  to  beg  that  we  may  steer  to  the  north,  in  quest  of 
land,  islands  and  continent,  that  no  doubt  lie  there,  and  thus 
crown  this  great  enterprise  with  the  glory  that  is  due  to  our 
illustrious  sovereigns,  and  your  own  forethought." 

"  The  wish  is  just,  good  Martin  Alonzo,  and  fairly  expressed, 
but  it  may  not  be  granted.  That  we  should  make  creditable 
discoveries,  by  thus  steering,  is  highly  probable,  but  in  so  doing 
we  should  fall  far  short  of  our  aim.  Cathay  and  the  Great 
Khan  still  lie  west ;  and  we  are  here,  not  to  add  another  group, 
like  the  Canaries,  or  the  Azores,  to  the  knowledge  of  man,  but  to 
complete  the  circle  of  the  earth,  and  to  open  the  way  for  the 
setting  up  of  the  cross  in  the  regions  that  have  so  long  been 
the  property  of  infidels." 

"  Hast  thou  nothing  to  say,  Senor  de  Munos,  in  support  of 
our  petition  ?  Thou  hast  favor  with  his  Excellency,  and  may 
prevail  on  him  to  grant  us  this  small  behest  I" 

"  To  tell  thee  the  truth,  good  Martin  Alonzo,"  answered  Luis, 
with  more  of  the  indifference  of  manner  that  might  have  been 
expected  from  the  grandee  to  the  pilot,  than  the  respect  that 
would  become  the  secretary  to  the  second  person  of  the  expedi- 
tion—u  to  tell  thee  the  truth  good  Martin  Alonzo,  my  heart  is  so 


316  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

set  on  tha  conversion  of  the  Great  Khan,  that  I  wish  not  to  turn 
either  to  the  right  or  left,  until  that  glorious  achievement  be 
sufficiently  secure.  I  have  observed  that  Satan  effecteth  little 
against  those  who  keep  in  the  direct  path,  while  his  success 
with  those  who  turn  aside  is  so  material,  as  to  people  his  do- 
minions with  errants." 

"  Is  there  no  hope,  noble  admiral?  and  must  we  quit  all 
these  cheering  signs,  without  endeavoring  to  trace  them  to  some 
advantageous  conclusion  ?" 

"  I  see  no  better  course,  worthy  friend.  This  rain  indicateth 
land  ;  also  this  calm ;  and  here  is  a  visitor  that  denoteth  more 
than  either — yonder,  in  the  direction  of  thy  Pinta,  where  it 
seemeth  disposed  to  rest  its  wings." 

Pinzon,  and  all  near  him,  turned,  and,  to  their  common  de- 
light and  astonishment,  they  saw  a  pelican,  with  extended  wings 
that  spread  for  ten  feet,  sailing  a  few  fathoms  above  the  sea, 
and  apparently  aiming  at  the  vessel  named.  The  adventurous 
bird,  however,  as  if  disdaining  to  visit  one  of  inferior  rank, 
passed  the  Pinta,  and,  sweeping  up  grandly  toward  the  admiral, 
alighted  on  a  yard  of  the  Santa  Maria. 

"If  this  be  not  a  certain  sign  of  the  vicinity  of  land,"  said 
Columbus  gravely,  "it  is  what  is  far  better,  a  sure  omen  that 
God  is  with  us.  He  is  sending  these  encouraging  calls  to  con- 
firm us  in  our  intention  to  serve  him,  and  to  persevere  to  the 
end.  Never  before,  Martin  Alonzo,  have  I  seen  a  bird  of  this 
species  a  day's  sail  from  the  shore  !" 

"Such  is  my  experience,  too,  noble  admiral;  and,  with  you, 
I  look  upon  this  visit  as  a  most  propitious  omen.  May  it  not 
be  a  hint  to  turn  aside,  and  to  look  further  in  this  quarter?" 

"I  accept  it  not  as  such,  but  rather  as  a  motive  to  proceed. 
At  our  return  from  the  Indies,  we  may  examine  this  part  of  the 
ocean  with  greater  security,  though  I  shall  think  naught  accom- 
plished until  India  be  fairly  reached,  and  India  is  still  hundreds 
of  leagues  distant.  As  the  time  is  favorable,  however,  we  will 
call  together  our  pilots,  and  see  how  each  man  placeth  his  vessel 
on  the  chart." 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  317 

At  this  suggestion,  all  the  navigators  assembled  on  board  the 
Santa  Maria,  and  each  man  made  his  calculations,  sticking  a 
pin  in  the  rude  chart — rude  as  to  accuracy,  but  beautiful  as  to 
execution — -that  the  admiral,  with  the  lights  he  then  possessed, 
had  made  of  the  Atlantic  ocean.  Vicente  Yanez,  and  his  com- 
panions of  the  Nina,  placed  their  pin  most  in  advance,  after 
measuring  off  four  hundred  and  forty  marine  leagues  from 
Gomera.  Martin  Alonzo  varied  a  little  from  this,  setting  his 
pin  some  twenty  leagues  farther  east.  When  it  was  the  turn 
of  Columbus,  he  stuck  a  pin  twenty  leagues  still  short  of  that 
of  Martin  Alonzo,  his  companions  having,  to  all  appearance, 
like  less  skilful  calculators,  thus  much  advanced  ahead  of  their 
true  distance.  It  was  then  determined  what  was  to  be  stated 
to  the  crews,  and  the  pilots  returned  to  their  respective  vessels. 

It  would  seem  that  Columbus  really  believed  he  was  then 
passing  between  islands,  and  his  historian,  Las  Casas,  affirms 
that  he  was  actually  right  in  his  conjecture ;  but  if  islands  ever 
existed  in  that  part  of  the  ocean,  they  have  long  since  dis- 
appeared ;  a  phenomenon  which,  while  it  is  not  impossible,  can 
scarcely  be  deemed  probable.  It  is  said  that  breakers  have 
been  seen,  even  within  the  present  century,  in  this  vicinity,  and 
it  is  not  unlikely  that  extensive  banks  do  exist,  though  Colum- 
bus found  no  bottom  with  two  hundred  fathoms  of  line.  The 
great  collection  of  weeds,  is  a  fact  authenticated  by  some  of  the 
oldest  records  of  human  investigations,  and  is  most  probably 
owing  to  some  effect  of  the  currents  which  has  a  tendency  to 
bring  about  such  an  end  ;  while  the  birds  must  be  considered 
as  -stragglers  lured  from  their  usual  haunts  by  the  food  that 
would  be  apt  to  be  collected  by  the  union  of  weeds  and  fish. 
Aquatic  birds  can  always  rest  on  the  water,  and  the  animal  that 
can  wing  its  way  through  the  air  at  the  rate  of  thirty,  or  even 
fifty  miles  the  hour,  needs  only  sufficient  strength,  to  cross  the 
entire  Atlantic  in  four  days  and  nights. 

Notwithstanding  all  these  cheering  signs,  the  different  crews 
soon  began  to  feel  again  the  weight  of  a  renewed  despondency. 
Sancho,  who  was  in  constant  but  secret  communication  with 
H 


313  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

the  admiral,  kept  the  latter  properly  advised  of  the  state  of  the 
people,  and  reported  that  more  murmurs  than  usual  prevailed, 
the  men  having  passed  again,  by  the  suddenness  of  the  reaction, 
from  the  most  elastic  hope,  nearly  to  the  verge  of  despair.  This 
fact  was  told  Columbus  just  at  sunset  on  the  evening  of  the 
20th,  or  on  that  of  the  eleventh  day  after  the  fleet  lost  sight  of 
land,  and  while  the  seaman  was  affecting  to  be  busy  on  the 
poop,  where  he  made  most  of  his  communications. 

"  They  complain,  your  Excellency,"  continued  Sancho,  "  of 
the  smoothness  of  the  water ;  and  they  say  that  when  the  winds 
blow  at  all,  in  these  seas,  they  come  only  from  the  eastward, 
having  no  power  to  blow  from  any  other  quarter.  The  calms, 
they  think,  prove  that  we  are  getting  into  a  part  of  the  ocean 
where  there  is  no  wind ;  and  the  east  winds,  they  fancy,  are 
sent  by  Providence  to  drive  those  there  who  have  displeased 
Heaven  by  a  curiosity  that  it  was  never  intended  that  any  who 
wear  beards  should  possess." 

"  Do  thou  encourage  them,  Sancho,  by  reminding  the  poor 
fellows  that  calms  prevail,  at  times,  in  all  seas  ;  and,  as  for  the 
east  winds,  is  it  not  well  known  that  they  blow  from  off  the 
African  shores,  in  low  latitudes,  at  all  seasons  of  the  year,  fol- 
lowing the  sun  in  his  daily  track  around  the  earth  ?  I  trust 
thou  hast  none  of  this  silly  apprehension  ?" 

"I  endeavor  to  keep  a  stout  heart,  Senor  Don  Almirante, 
having  no  one  before  me  to  disgrace,  and  leaving  no  one  behind 
me  to  mourn  over  my  loss.  Still,  I  should  like  to  hear  a  little 
about  the  riches  of  those  distant  lands,  as  I  find  the  thoughts 
of  their  gold  and  precious  stones  have  a  sort  of  religious  charm 
over  my  weakness,  when  I  begin  to  muse  upon  Moguer  and  its 
good  cheer." 

"  Go  to,  knave  ;  thy  appetite  for  money  is  insatiable  ;  take 
yet  another  dobla,  and  as  thou  gazest  on  it  thou  mayst  fancy 
what  thou  wilt  of  the  coin  of  the  Great  Khan  ;  resting  certain 
that  so  great  a  monarch  is  not  without  gold,  any  more  than  he 
is  probably  without  the  disposition  to  part  with  it,  when  there 
is  occasion." 


MERCEDES      OF     CASTILE.  319 

Sancho  received  his  fee,  and  left  the  poop  to  Columbus  and 
our  hero. 

"  These  ups  and  downs  among  the  knaves,"  said  Luis,  im- 
patiently, "  were  best  quelled,  Senor,  by  an  application  of  the 
flat  of  the  sword,  or,  at  need,  of  its  edge." 

"  This  may  not  be,  my  young  friend,  without,  at,  least  far 
more  occasion  than  yet  existeth  for  the  severity.  Think  not 
that  I  have  passed  so  many  years  of  my  life  in  soliciting  the 
means  to  effect  so  great  a  purpose,  and  have  got  thus  far  on  my 
way,  in  unknown  seas,  with  a  disposition  to  be  easily  turned 
aside  from  my  purpose.  But  God  hath  not  created  all  alike  ; 
neither  hath  he  afforded  equal  chances  for  knowledge  to  the 
peasant  and  the  noble.  I  have  vexed  my  spirit  too  often,  with 
arguments  on  this  very  subject,  with  the  great  and  learned,  not 
to  bear  a  little  with  the  ignorance  of  the  vulgar.  Fancy  how 
much  fear  would  have  quickened  the  wits  of  the  sages  of  Sala- 
manca, had  our  discussion  been  held  in  the  middle  of  the  At- 
lantic, where  man  never  had  been,  and  whence  no  eyes  but 
those  of  logic  and  science  could  discover  a  safe  passage." 

"  This  is  most  true,  Senor  Almirante  ;  and  yet,  methinks  the 
knights  that  were  of  your  antagonists  should  not  have  been 
wholly  unmanned  by  fear.  What  danger  have  we  here  ?  this  is 
the  wide  ocean,  it  is  true,  and  we  are  no  doubt  distant  some 
hundreds  of  leagues  from  the  known  islands,  but,  we  are  not  the 
less  safe.  By  San  Pedro  !  I  have  seen  more  lives  lost  in  a  single 
onset  of  the  Moors,  than  these  caravels  could  hold  in  bodies, 
and  blood  enough  spilt  to  float  them  !" 

"The  dangers  our  people  dread  may  be  less  turbulent  than 
those  of  a  Moorish  fray,  Don  Luis,  but  they  are  not  the  less 
terrible.  Where  is  the  spring  that  is  to  furnish  water  to  the 
parched  lip,  when  our  stores  shall  fail ;  and  where  the  field  to 
give  us  its  bread  and  nourishment  ?  It  is  a  fearful  thing  to  be 
brought  down  to  the  dregs  of  life,  by  the  failure  of  food  and 
water,  on  the  surface  of  the  wide  ocean,  dying  by  inches,  often 
without  the  consolations  of  the  church,  and  ever  without  Chris- 
tian sepulture.     These  are  the  fancies  of  the  seaman,  and  he  is 


320  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

only  to  be  driven  from  them  violently  when  duty  demands  ex- 
treme remedies  for  his  disease." 

"  To  me  it  seemeth,  Don  Christopher,  that  it  will  be  time  to 
reason  thus,  when  our  casks  are  drained,  and  the  last  biscuit  is 
broken.  Until  then,  I  ask  leave  of  your  Excellency  to  apply 
the  necessary  logic  to  the  outside  of  the  heads  of  these  varlets, 
instead  of  their  insides,  of  which  I  much  question  the  capacity 
to  hold  any  good." 

Columbus  too  well  understood  the  hot  nature  of  the  young 
noble  to  make  a  serious  reply  ;  and  they  both  stood  some  time 
leaning  against  the  mizen-mast,  watching  the  scene  before  them, 
and  musing  on  the  chances  of  their  situation.  It  was  night, 
and  the  figures  of  the  watch,  on  the  deck  beneath,  were  visible 
only  by  a  light  that  rendered  it  difficult  to  distinguish  counte- 
nances. The  men  were  grouped  ;  and  it  was  evident  by  the 
low  but  eager  tones  in  which  they  conversed,  that  they  dis- 
cussed matters  connected  with  the  calm,  and  the  risks  they  ran. 
The  outlines  of  the  Pinta  and  Nina  were  visible,  beneath  a 
firmament  that  was  studded  with  brilliants,  their  lazy  sails 
hanging  in  festoons,  like  the  drapery  of  curtains,  and  their 
black  hulls  were  as  stationary  as  if  they  both  lay  moored  in 
one  of  the  rivers  of  Spain.  It  was  a  bland  and  gentle  night, 
but  the  immensity  of  the  solitude,  the  deep  calm  of  the  slum- 
bering ocean,  and  even  the  occasional  creaking  of  a  spar,  by  re- 
calling to  the  mind  the  actual  presence  of  vessels  so  situated, 
rendered  the  scene  solemn,  almost  to  sublimity. 

"  Dost  thou  detect  aught  fluttering  in  the  rigging,  Luis  ?" 
the  admiral  cautiously  inquired.  "  My  ear  deceiveth  me,  or  I 
hear  something  on  the  wing.  The  sounds,  moreover,  are 
quick  and  slight,  like  those  produced  by  birds  of  indifferent 
size." 

"Don  Christopher,  you  are  right.  There  are  little  creatures 
perched  on  the  upper  yards,  and  that  of  a  size  like  the  smaller 
songsters  of  the  land." 

"Hark  !"  interrupted  the  admiral.  "That  is  a  joyous  note, 
and  of  such  a  melody  as  might  be  met  in  one  of  the  orange 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  321 

groves  of  Seville,  itself !  God  be  praised  for  this  sign  of  the  ex- 
tent and  unity  of  his  kingdom,  since  land  cannot  well  be  distant, 
when  creatures,  gentle  and  frail  as  these,  have  so  lately  taken 
their  flight  from  it!" 

The  presence  of  these  birds  soon  became  known  to  all  on 
deck,  and  their  songs  brought  more  comfort  than  the  most  able 
mathematical  demonstration,  even  though  founded  on  modern 
learning,  could  have  produced  on  the  sensitive  feelings  of  the 
common  men. 

"  I  told  thee  land  was  near,"  cried  Sancho,  turning  with  ex- 
ultation to  Martin  Martinez,  his  constant  disputant ;  "  here 
thou  hast  the  proof  of  it,  in  a  manner  that  none  but  the  traitor 
will  deny.  Thou  hearest  the  songs  of  orchard  birds — notes 
that  would  never  come  from  the  throats  of  the  tired  ;  and  which 
sound  as  gaily  as  if  the  dear  little  feathered  rogues  were  peck- 
ing at  a  fig  or  a  grape  in  a  field  of  Spain." 

"  Sancho  is  right  I"  exclaimed  the  seamen.  "  The  air  savors 
of  land,  too ;  and  the  sea  hath  a  look  of  the  land ;  and  God  is 
with  us — blessed  be  his  Holy  name — and  honor  to  our  lord  the 
king,  and  to  our  gracious  mistress,  Dona  Isabella !" 

From  this  moment  concern  seemed  to  leave  the  vessel,  again. 
It  was  thought,  even  by  the  admiral  himself,  that  the  presence  of 
birds  so  small,  and  which  were  judged  to  be  so  feeble  of  wing, 
was  an  unerring  evidence  that  land  was  nigh ;  and  land,  too,  of 
generous  productions,  and  a  mild,  gentle  climate ;  for  these  warb- 
lers, like  the  softer  sex  of  the  human  family,  best  love  scenes 
that  most  favor  their  gentle  propensities  and  delicate  habits. 

Investigation  has  since  proved  that,  in  this  particular,  how- 
ever plausible  the  grounds  of  error,  Columbus  was  deceived. 
Men  often  mistake  the  powers  of  the  inferior  animals  of  crea- 
tion, and  at  other  times  they  overrate  the  extent  of  their  in- 
stinct. In  point  of  fact,  a  bird  of  light  weight  would  be  less 
liable  to  perish  on  the  ocean,  and  in  that  low  latitude,  than  a 
bird  of  more  size,  neither  being  aquatic.  The  sea-weed  itself 
would  furnish  resting-places  without  number  for  the  smaller  ani- 
mals, and,  in  some  instances,  it  would  probably  furnish  food. 


1322  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

That  birds,  purely  of  the  land,  should  take  long  flights  at  sea, 
is  certainly  improbable ;  but,  apart  from  the  consequence  of 
gales,  which  often  force  even  that  heavy-winged  animal  the  owl, 
hundreds  of  miles  from  the  land,  instinct  is  not  infallible ;  whales 
being  frequently  found  embayed  in  shallow  waters,  and  birds 
sailing  beyond  the  just  limits  of  their  habits.  Whatever  may 
have  been  the  cause  of  the  opportune  appearance  of  these  little 
inhabitants  of  the  orchard  on  the  spars  of  the  Santa  Maria,  the 
effect  was  of  the  most  auspicious  kind  on  the  spirits  of  the  men. 
As  long  as  they  sang,  no  amateurs  ever  listened  to  the  most 
brilliant  passages  from  the  orchestra  with  greater  delight  than 
those  rude  seamen  listened  to  their  warbling;  and  while  they 
slept,  it  was  with  a  security  that  had  its  existence  in  veneration 
and  gratitude.  The  songs  were  renewed  with  the  dawn,  shortly 
after  which  the  whole  went  off  in  a  body,  taking  their  flight 
toward  the  south-west.  The  next  day  brought  a  calm,  and  then 
an  air  so  light,  that  the  vessels  could  with  difficulty  make  their 
way  through  the  dense  masses  of  weeds,  that  actually  gave  the 
ocean  the  appearance  of  vast  inundated  meadows.  The  current 
was  now  found  to  be  from  the  west,  and  shortly  after  day-light 
a  new  source  of  alarm  was  reported  by  Sancho. 

"  The  people  have  got  a  notion  in  their  heads,  Senor  Almi- 
rante,  which  partaketh  so  much  of  the  marvellous,  that  it  find- 
eth  exceeding  favor  with  such  as  love  miracles  more  than  they 
love  God.  Martin  Martinez,  who  is  a  philosopher  in  the  way 
of  terror,  maintaineth  that  this  sea,  into  which  we  seem  to  be 
entering  deeper  and  deeper,  lieth  over  sunken  islands,  and  that 
the  weeds,  which  it  would  be  idle  to  deny  grow  more  abundant 
as  we  proceed,  will  shortly  get  to  be  so  plentiful  on  the  surface 
of  the  water,  that  the  caravels  will  become  unable  to  advance 
or  to  retreat." 

u  Doth  Martin  find  any  to  believe  this  silly  notion  V 
"  Senor  Don  Almirante,  he  doth;  and  for  the  plain  reason 
that  it  is  easier  to  find  those  who  are  ready  to  believe  an  ab- 
surdity, than  to  find  those  who  will  only  believe  truth.     But 
the  man  is  backed  by  some  unlucky  chances,  that  must  come 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  323 

of  the  Powers  of  Darkness,  more  particularly  as  they  can  have 
no  great  wish  to  see  your  Excellency  reach  Cathay,  with  the 
intention  of  making  a  Christian  of  the  Great  Khan,  and  of 
planting  the  tree  of  the  cross  in  his  dominions.  This  calm 
sorely  troubleth  many,  moreover,  and  the  birds  are  beginning 
to  be  looked  upon  as  creatures  sent  by  Satan  himself,  to  lead  us 
whither  we  can  never  return.  Some  even  believe  we  shall  tread 
on  shoals,  and  lie  forever  stranded  wrecks  in  the  midst  of  the 
wide  ocean !" 

"  Go,  bid  the  men  prepare  to  sound;  I  will  show  them  the 
folly  of  this  idea,  at  least ;  and  see  that  all  are  summoned  to 
witness  the  experiment." 

-  Columbus  now  repeated  this  order  to  the  pilots,  and  the  deep- 
sea  was  let  go  in  the  usual  manner.  Fathom  after  fathom  of 
the  line  glided  Over  the  rail,  the  lead  taking  its  unerring  way 
toward  the  bottom,  until  so  little  was  left  as  to  compel  the 
downward  course  to  be  arrested. 

"  Ye  see,  my  friends,  that  we  are  yet  full  two  hundred  fathoms 
from  the  shoals  ye  so  much  dread,  and  as  much  more  as  the  sea 
is  deeper  than  our  measurement.  Lo  !  yonder,  too,  is  a  whale, 
spouting  the  water  before  him — a  creature  never  seen  except 
on  the  coasts  of  large  islands  or  continents." 

This  appeal  of  Columbus,  which  was  in  conformity  with  the 
notions  of  the  day,  had  its  weight — his  crew  being  naturally  most 
under  the  influence  of  notions  that  were  popular.  It  is  now 
known,  however,  that  whales  frequent  those  parts  of  the  ocean 
where  their  food  is  most  abundant,  and  one  of  the  best  grounds 
for  taking  them,  of  late  years,  has  been  what  is  called  the  False 
Brazil  Banks,  which  lie  near  the  centre  of  the  ocean.  In  a  word, 
all  those  signs,  that  were  connected  with  the  movements  of  birds 
and  fishes,  and  which  appear  to  have  had  so  much  effect,  not 
only  on  the  common  men  of  this  great  enterprise,  but  on  Co- 
lumbus himself,  were  of  far  less  real  importance  than  was  then 
believed ;  navigators  being  so  little  accustomed  to  venture  far 
from  the  land  themselves,  that  they  were  not  duly  acquainted 
with  the  mysteries  of  the  open  ocean. 


324  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

Notwithstanding  the  moments  of  cheerfulness  and  hope  that 
intervened,  distrust  and  apprehension  were  fast  getting  to  he 
again  the  prevailing  feelings  among  the  mariners.  Those  who 
had  been  most  disaffected  from  the  first,  seized  every  occasion 
to  increase  these  apprehensions  ;  and  when  the  sun  rose,  Satur- 
day, September  2 2d,  on  a  calm  sea,  there  were  not  a  few  in  the 
vessels  who  wrere  disposed  to  unite  in  making  another  de- 
mand on  the  admiral  to  turn  the  heads  of  the  caravels  toward 
the  east. 

"  We  have  come  some  hundreds  of  leagues  before  a  fair  wind, 
into  a  sea  that  is  entirely  unknown  to  man,  until  we  have  reached 
a  part  of  the  ocean  where  the  wind  seems  altogether  to  fail  us, 
and  where  there  is  danger  of  our  being  bound  up  in  immov- 
able weeds,  or  stranded  on  sunken  islands,  without  the  means 
of  procuring  food  or  water  1" 

Arguments  like  these  were  suited  to  an  age  in  which  even  the 
most  learned  were  obliged  to  grope  their  way  to  accurate 
knowledge,  through  the  mists  of  superstition  and  ignorance,  and 
in  which  it  was  a  prevailing  weakness  to  put  faith,  on  the  one 
hand,  in  visible  proofs  of  the  miraculous  power  of  God,  and,  on 
the  other,  in  substantial  evidences  of  the  ascendency  of  evil 
spirits,  as  they  were  permitted  to  affect  the  temporal  affairs  of 
those  they  persecuted. 

It  was,  therefore,  most  fortunate  for  the  success  of  the  ex- 
pedition, that  a  light  breeze  sprang  up  from  southward  and 
westward,  in  the  early  part  of  the  day  just  mentioned,  enabling 
the  vessels  to  gather  way,  and  to  move  beyond  the  vast  fields 
of  weeds,  that  equally  obstructed  the  progress  of  the  caravels, 
and  awakened  the  fears  of  their  people.  As  it  was  an  object  to 
get  clear  of  the  floating  obstacles  that  surrounded  the  vessels, 
the  first  large  opening  that  offered  was  entered,  and  then 
the  fleet  was  brought  close  upon  a  wind,  heading  as  near  as 
possible  to  the  desired  course.  Columbus  now  believed  himself 
to  be  steering  west-north-west,  when,  in  fact,  he  was  sailing  in 
a  direction  far  nearer  to  his  true  course,  than  when  his  ships 
headed  west  by  compass ;  the  departure  from  the  desired  line 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  •  825 

of  sailing,  being  owing  to  the  variation  in  the  needle.  This 
circumstance  alone,  would  seem  to  establish  the  fact,  that  Co- 
lumbus believed  in  his  own  theory  of  the  moving  star,  since  he 
would  hardly  have  steered  west-and-by-south-half-south,  with  a 
fair  wind,  for  many  days  in  succession,  as  he  is  known  to  have 
done,  when  it  was  his  strongest  wish  to  proceed  directly  west. 
Tie  was  now  heading  up,  within  half  a  point  of  the  latter 
course,  though  he  and  all  with  him,  fancied  they  were  running 
off  nearly  two  points  to  leeward  of  the  so  much  desired  di- 
rection. 

But  these  little  variations  were  trifles  as  compared  with  the 
advantage  that  the  admiral  obtained  over  the  fears  of  his  follow- 
ers by  the  shift  of  the  wind,  and  the  liberation  from  the  weeds. 
By  the  first,  the  men  saw  a  proof  that  the  breezes  did  not 
always  blow  from  the  same  quarter ;  and  by  the  last,  they  as- 
certained that  they  had  not  actually  reached  a  point  where  the 
ocean  had  become  impassable.  Although  the  wind  was  now 
favorable  to  return  to  the  Canaries,  no  one  any  longer  demanded 
that  such  a  course  should  be  adopted,  so  apt  are  we  all  to  desire 
that  which  appears  to  be  denied  to  us,  and  so  ready  to  despise 
that  which  lies  perfectly  at  our  disposal. 

This,  indeed,  was  a  moment  when  the  feelings  of  the  people 
appeared  to  be  as  variable  as  the  light  and  baffling  winds  them- 
selves. The  Saturday  passed  away  in  the  manner  just  men- 
tioned, the  vessels  once  more  entering  into  large  fields  of  weeds, 
just  as  the  sun  set.  When  the  light  returned,  the  airs  headed 
them  off  to  north-west  and  north-west-by-north,  by  compass, 
which  was,  in  truth,  steering  north-west-by-west-half-west,  and 
north- west-half- west.  Birds  abounded  again,  among  which 
was  a  turtle-dove,  and  many  living  crabs  were  seen  crawling 
among  the  weeds.  All  these  signs  would  have  encouraged  the 
common  men,  had  they  not  already  so  often  proved  deceptive. 

"  Senor,"  said  Martin  Martinez,  to  the  admiral,  when  Colum- 
bus went  among  the  crew  to  raise  their  drooping  spirits,  "  we 
know  not  what  to  think  !  For  days  did  the  wind  blow  in  the 
same  direction,  leading  us  on,  as  it  might  be,  to  our  ruin  ;  and 


.326  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

then  it  hath  deserted  us  in  such  a  sea  as  mariners  in  the  Santa 
Maria  never  before  saw.  A  sea,  looking  like  meadows  on  a 
river  side,  and  which  wanteth  only  kine  and  cow-herds,  to  be 
mistaken  for  fields  a  little  overflowed  by  a  rise  of  the  water,  is 
a  fearful  thing  !" 

"Thy  meadows  are  the  weeds  of  the  ocean,  and  prove  the 
richness  of  the  nature  that  hath  produced  them ;  while  thy 
breezes  from  the  east,  are  what  all  who  have  ever  made  the 
Guinea  voyage,  well  know  to  exist  in  latitudes  so  low.  I  see 
naught  in  either  to  alarm  a  bold  seaman  ;  and  as  for  the  bot- 
tom, we  all  know  it  hath  not  yet  been  found  by  many  a  long 
and  weary  fathom  of  line.  Pepe,  thou  hast  none  of  these  weak- 
nesses ;  but  hast  set  thy  heart  on  Cathay  and  a  sight  of  the 
Great  Khan?" 

"  Seiior  Almirante,  as  I  swore  to  Monica,  so  do  I  swear  to 
your  Excellency  ;  and  that  is  to  be  true  and  obedient.  If  the 
cross  is  to  be  raised  among  the  Infidels,  my  hand  shall  not  be 
backward  in  doing  its  share  toward  the  holy  act.  Still,  Seiior, 
none  of  us  like  this  long  unnatural  calm.  Here  is  an  ocean 
that  hath  no  waves,  but  a  surface  so  smooth  that  we  much  dis- 
trust whether  the  waters  obey  the  same  laws,  as  they  are  known 
to  do  near  Spain  ;  for  never  before  have  I  beheld  a  sea  that 
hath  so  much  the  air  of  the  dead !  May  it  not  be,  Seiior,  that 
God  hath  placed  a  belt  of  this  calm  and  stagnant  water  around 
the  outer  edges  of  the  earth,  in  order  to  prevent  the  unheedy 
from  looking  into  some  of  his  sacred  secrets  V 

"Thy  reasoning  hath,  at  least,  a  savor  of  religion;  and, 
though  faulty,  can  scarce  be  condemned.  God  hath  placed 
man  on  this  earth,  Pepe,  to  be  its  master,  and  to  serve  him  by 
extending  the  dominion  of  his  church,  as  well  as  by  turning  to 
the  best  account  all  the  numberless  blessings  that  accompany 
the  great  gift.  As  to  the  limits,  of  which  thou  speakest,  they 
exist  only  in  idea,  the  earth  being  a  sphere,  or  a  ball,  to  which 
there  are  no  other  edges  than  those  thou  seest  everywhere  on 
its  surface." 

"  And  as  for  what  Martin  saith,"  put  in  Sancho,  who  was 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  327 

never  at  fault  for  a  fact,  or  for  a  reason,  "  concerning  the  winds, 
and  the  weeds,  and  the  calms,  I  can  only  wonder  where  a  sea- 
man of  his  years  hath  been  navigating  so  long,  that  these  things 
should  be  novelties.  To  me,  all  this  is  as  common  as  dish- 
water at  Moguer,  and  so  much  a  matter  of  course,  that  I  should 
not  have  remarked  it,  but  for  the  whinings  of  Martin  and  his 
fellows.  When  the  Santa  Catalina  made  the  voyage  to  that 
far-off  region,  Ireland,  we  landed  on  the  sea-weed,  a  distance 
of  half  a  league  or  so  from  the  coast ;  and  as  for  the  wind,  it 
blew  regularly  four  weeks  from  one  quarter,  and  four  weeks 
from  the  other  ;  after  which  the  people  of  the  country  said  it 
would  blow  four  weeks  each  way,  transversely  ;  but  we  did  not 
remain  long  enough  in  those  seas  to  enable  me  to  swear  to  the 
two  last  facts." 

"  Hast  thou  not  heard  of  shoals  so  wide  that  a  caravel  could 
never  find  its  way  out  of  them,  if  it  once  entered  ?"  demanded 
Martinez,  fiercely,  for,  much  addicted  to  gross  exaggerations 
himself,  he  little  liked  to  be  outdone  ;  "  and  do  not  these  weeds 
bespeak  our  near  approach  to  such  a  danger,  when  the  weeds 
themselves  often  are  so  closely  packed  as  to  come  near  to  stop 
the  ship  f" 

"  Enough  of  this,"  said  the  admiral:  "  at  times  we  have 
weeds,  and  then  we  are  altogether  free  from  them ;  these 
changes  are  owing  to  the  currents  ;  no  doubt  as  soon  as  we 
have  passed  this  meridian,  we  shall  come  to  clear  water  again." 

"But  the  calm,  Senor  Almirante,"  exclaimed  a  dozen  voices. 
"  This  unnatural  smoothness  of  the  ocean  frighteneth  us ! 
.Never  before  did  we  see  water  so  stagnant  and  immovable !" 

"Call  ye  this  stagnant  and  immovable?"  exclaimed  the  ad- 
miral. "  Nature  herself  arises  ta  reproach  your  senseless  fears, 
and  to  contradict  your  mistaken  reasoning,  by  her  own  signs 
and  portents!" 

This  was  said  as  the  Santa  Maria's  bows  rose  on  a  long  low 
swell,  every  spar  creaking  at  the  motion,  and  the  whole  hull 
heaving  and  setting  as  the  billow  passed  beneath  it,  washing 
the  sides  of  the  ship  from  the  water-line  to  its  channels.     At 


328  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

this  moment  there  was  not  even  a  breath  of  air,  and  the  seamen 
gazed  about  them  with  an  astonishment  that  was  increased  and 
rendered  extreme  by  dread.  The  ship  had  scarcely  settled 
heavily  into  the  long  trough  when  a  second  wave  lifted  her 
again  forward,  and  billow  succeeded  billow,  each  successive 
wave  increasing  in  height,  until  the  entire  ocean  was  undulat- 
ing, though  only  marked  at  distant  intervals,  and  that  slightly, 
by  the  foam  of  crests  or  combing  seas.  It  took  half  an  hour  to 
bring  this  phenomenon  up  to  its  height,  when  all  three  vessels 
were  wallowing  in  the  seas,  as  mariners  term  it,  their  hulls 
falling  off  helplessly  into  the  troughs,  until  the  water  fairly 
spouted  from  their  low  scuppers,  as  each  rose  by  her  buoyancy 
from  some  roll  deeper  than  common.  Fancying  that  this  occur- 
rence promised  to  be  either  a  source  of  new  alarm,  or  a  means 
of  appeasing  the  old  one,  Columbus  took  early  measures  to  turn 
it  to  account,  in  the  latter  mode.  Causing  all  the  crew  to  as- 
semble at  the  break  of  the  poop,  he  addressed  them,  briefly,  in 
the  following  words  : 

"  Ye  see,  men,  that  your  late  fears  about  the  stagnant  ocean 
are  rebuked,  in  this  sudden  manner,  as  it  might  be,  by  the 
hand  of  Glod  himself,  proving,  beyond  dispute,  that  no  danger  is 
to  be  apprehended  from  that  source.  I  might  impose  on  your 
ignorance,  and  insist  that  this  sudden  rising  of  the  sea  is  a  mir- 
acle wrought  to  sustain  me  against  your  rebellious  repinings  and 
unthinking  alarms ;  but  the  cause  in  which  I  am  engaged  needs 
no  support  of  this  nature,  that  doth  not  truly  come  from  heav- 
en. The  calms,  and  the  smoothness  of  the  water,  and  even  the 
wreeds  of  which  ye  complain,  come  from  the  vicinity  of  some 
great  body  of  land ;  I  think  not  a  continent,  as  that  must  lie  still 
further  west,  but  of  islands,  either  so  large  or  so  numerous,  as 
lo  make  a  far-extended  lee  ;  while  these  swells  are  probably  the 
evidence  of  wind  at  a  distance,  which  hath  driven  up  the  ocean 
into  mountainous  waves,  such  as  we  often  see  them,  and  which 
send  out  their  dying  efforts,  even  beyond  the  limits  of  the 
gale.  I  do  not  say  that  this  intervention,  to  appease  your  fears, 
doth  not  come  of  God,  in  whose  hands  I  am  ;  for  this  last  do  I 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  mV 

fully  believe,  and  for  it  am  I  fully  grateful ;  but  it  cometh 
through  the  agencies  of  nature,  and  can  in  no  sense  be  deemed 
providential,  except  as  it  demonstrated  the  continuance  of  the 
divine  care,  as  well  as  its  surpassing  goodness.  Go,  then,  and 
be  tranquil.  Eemember,  if  Spain  be  far  behind  ye,  that  Cathay 
now  lieth  at  no  great  distance  before  ye ;  that  each  hour  short- 
eneth  that  distance,  as  well  as  the  time  necessary  to  reach  our 
goal.  He  that  remaineth  true  and  faithful,  shall  not  repent  his 
confidence  ;  while  he  who  unnecessarily  disturbeth  either  him- 
self or  others,  with  silly  doubts,  may  look  forward  to  an  exer- 
cise of  authority  that  shall  maintain  the  rights  of  their  High- 
nesses to  the  duty  of  all  their  servants." 

We  record  this  speech  of  the  great  navigator  with  so  much 
the  more  pleasure,  as  it  goes  fully  to  establish  the  fact  that  he 
did  not  believe  the  sudden  rising  of  the  seas,  on  this  occasion, 
was  owing  to  a  direct  miracle,  as  some  of  the  historians  and 
biographers  seem  inclined  to  believe  ;  but  rather  to  a  providen- 
tial interference  of  Divine  Power,  through  natural  means,  in 
order  to  protect  him  against  the  consequences  of  the  blind  ap- 
prehensions of  his  followers.  It  is  not  easy,  indeed,  to  suppose 
that  a  seaman  as  experienced  as  Columbus,  could  be  ignorant  of 
the  natural  cause  of  a  circumstance  so  very  common  on  the 
ocean, 'that  those  who  dwell  on  its  coast  have  frequent  occasion 
to  witness  its  occurrence. 


330  ME  K  CEDES      OF      CASTILE. 


CHAPTER    XX. 

"  *  Or  a  pro  nobis,  Mater  V — what  a  spell 
"Was  in  those  notes,  with  day's  last  glory  dying 
On  the  flush'd  waters — seemed  they  not  to  swell 
From  the  far  dnst,  wherein  my  sires  were  lying 
"With  crucifix  and  sword  ? — Oh !  yet  how  clear 
Comes  their  reproachful  sweetness  to  my  ear ! 
iOra'1 — with  all  the  purple  waves  replying, 
All  my  youth's  visions  rising  in  the  strain — 
And  I  had  thought  it  much  to  bear  the  rack  and  chain !" 

The  Fokest  Sanctuary. 

It  may  now  be  well  to  recapitulate,  and  to  let  the  reader  dis- 
tinctly know  how  far  the  adventurers  had  actually  advanced 
into  the  unknown  waters  of  the  Atlantic ;  what  was  their  real, 
and  what  their  supposed  position.  As  has  been  seen,  from  the 
time  of  quitting  Gomera,  the  admiral  kept  two  reckonings,  one 
intended  for  his  own  government,  which  came  as  near  the  truth 
as  the  imperfect  means  of  the  science  of  navigation  that,  were 
then  in  use  would  allow,  and  another  that  was  freely  exhibited 
to  the  crew,  and  was  purposely  miscalculated  in  order  to  pre- 
vent alarm,  on  account  of  the  distance  that  had  been  passed. 
As  Columbus  believed  himself  to  be  employed  in  the  service  of 
God,  this  act  of  deception  would  be  thought  a  species  of  pious 
fraud,  in  that  devout  age  ;  and  it  is  by  no  means  probable  that 
it  gave  the  conscience  of  the  navigator  any  trouble,  since 
churchmen,  even,  did  not  hesitate  always  about  buttressing  the 
walls  of  faith  by  means  still  less  justifiable. 

The  long  calms  and  light  head-winds  had  prevented  the  ves- 
sels from  making  much  progress  for  the  few  last  days ;  and,  by 
estimating  the  distance  that  was  subsequently  run  in  a  course 
but  a  little  south  of  west,  it  appears,  notwithstanding  all  the 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  331 

encouraging  signs  of  birds,  fishes,  calms,  and  smooth  water,  that 
on  the  morning  of  Monday,  September  24th,  or  that  of  the 
fifteenth  day  after  losing  sight  of  Ferro,  the  expedition  was 
about  half-way  across  the  Atlantic,  counting  from  continent  to 
continent,  on  the  parallel  of  about  31  or  32  degrees  of  north 
latitude.  The  circumstance  of  the  vessels  being  so  far  north 
of  the  Canaries,  when  it  is  known  that  they  had  been  running 
most  of  the  time  west,  a  little  southerly,  must  be  imputed  to 
the  course  steered  in  the  scant  winds,  and  perhaps  to  the  gen- 
eral set  of  the  currents.  With  this  brief  explanation,  we  return 
to  the  daily  progress  of  the  ships. 

The  influence  of  the  trades  was  once  more  felt,  though  in  a 
very  slight  degree,  in  the  course  of  the  twenty-four  hours  that 
succeeded  the  day  of  the  "  miraculous  seas,"  and  the  vessels 
again  headed  west  by  compass.  Birds  were  seen  as  usual, 
among  which  was  a  pelican.  The  whole  progress  of  the  ves- 
sels was  less  than  fifty  miles,  a  distance  that  was  lessened,  as 
usual,  in  the  public  reckoning. 

The  morning  of  the  25th  was  calm,  but  the  wind  returned,  a 
steady,  gentle  breeze  from  the  south-east,  when  the  day  was  far 
advanced,  the  caravels  passing  most  of  the  hours  of  light  float- 
ing near  each  other  in  a  lazy  indolence,  or  barely  stirring  the 
water  with  their  stems,  at  a  rate  little,  if  any,  exceeding  that  of 
a  mile  an  hour. 

The  Pinta  kept  near  the  Santa  Maria,  and  the  officers  and 
crews  of  the  two  vessels  conversed  freely  with  each  other  con- 
cerning their  hopes  and  situation.  Columbus  listened  to  these 
dialogues  for  a  long  time,  endeavoring  to  collect  the  predomi- 
nant feeling  from  the  more  guarded  expressions  that  were  thus 
publicly  delivered,  and  watching  each  turn  of  the  expressions 
with  jealous  vigilance.  At  length  it  struck  him  that  the  occa- 
sion was  favorable  to  producing  a  good  effect  on  the  spirits  of 
his  followers. 

"  What  hast  thou  thought  of  the  chart  I  sent  thee  three  days 
since,  good  Martin  ^lonzo?"  called  out  the  admiral.  "Dost 
tlfiou  see  in  it  aught   to    satisfy  thee   that  we  are  approach- 


332  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

ing  the  Indies,  and  that  our  time  of  trial  draweth  rapidly  to 
an  end  ?" 

At  the  first  sound  of  the  admiral's  voice,  every  syllable  was 
hushed  among  the  people ;  for,  in  spite  of  their  discontent,  and 
their  disposition  even  to  rise  against  him,  in  their  extremity, 
Columbus  had  succeeded  in  creating  a  profound  respect  for  his 
judgment  and  his  person  among  all  his  followers. 

"  'Tis  a  rare  and  well-designed  chart,  Seiior  Don  Christo- 
pher," answered  the  master  of  the  Pinta,  "  and  doth  a  fair 
credit  to  him  who  hath  copied  and  enlarged,  as  well  as  to  him 
who  first  projected  it.  I  doubt  that  it  is  the  work  of  some 
learned  scholar,  that  hath  united  the  opinions  of  all  the  greater 
navigators  in  his  map." 

"  The  original  came  from  one  Paul  Toscanelli,  a  learned 
Tuscan,  who  dwelleth  at  Firenze  in  that  country  ;  a  man  of 
exceeding  knowledge,  and  of  an  industry  in  investigation  that 
putteth  idleness  to  shame.  Accompanying  the  chart  he  sent  a 
missive  that  hath  much  profound  and  learned  matter  on  the 
subject  of  the  Indies,  and  touching  those  islands  that  thou  seest 
laid  down  with  so  much  particularity.  In  that  letter  he  speak- 
eth  of  divers  places,  as  being  so  many  wonderful  exemplars  of 
the  power  of  man  ;  more  especially  of  the  port  of  Zaiton,  which 
sendeth  forth  no  less  than  a  hundred  ships  yearly,  loaded  with 
the  single  product  of  the  pepper-tree.  He  saith,  moreover, 
that  an  ambassador  came  to  the  Holy  Father,  in  the  time  of 
Eugenius  IV.,  of  blessed  memory,  to  express  the  desire  of  the 
Great  Khan,  which  meaneth  King  of  Kings,  in  the  dialect  of 
those  regions,  to  be  on  friendly  terms  with  the  Christians  of 
the  west,  as  we  were  then  termed ;  but  of  the  east,  as  will  shortly 
be  our  designation  in  that  part  of  the  world." 

"  This  is  surprising,  Sefior !"  exclaimed  Pinzon  :  "  how  is  it 
known,  or  is  it  known  at  all,  of  a  certainty  ¥\ 

"  Beyond  a  question  ;  since  Paul  stateth,  in  his  missive,  that 
he  saw  much  of  this  same  ambassador,  living  greatly  in  his 
society,  Eugenius  deceasing  as  lately  as  1477.  From  the  am- 
bassador, no  doubt  a  wise  and  grave  personage,  since  no  other 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE  333 

would  have  been  sent  so  far  on  a  mission  to  the  Head  of  the 
Church  ;  from  this  discreet  person,  then,  did  Toscanelli  gain 
much  pleasant  information  concerning  the  populousness  and 
vast  extent  of  those  distant  countries,  the  gorgeousness  of  the 
palaces,  and  the  glorious  beauty  of  the  cities.  He  spoke  of 
one  town,  in  particular,  that  surpasseth  all  others  of  the  known 
world  ;  and  of  a  single  river  that  hath  two  hundred  noble  cities 
on  its  own  banks,  with  marble  bridges  spanning  the  stream. 
The  chart  before  thee,  Martin  Alonzo,  showeth  that  the  exact 
distance  from  Lisbon  to  the  city  of  Quisay  is  just  three  thou- 
sand nine  hundred  miles  of  Italy,  or  about  a  thousand  leagues, 
steering  always  in  a  due-west  direction."* 

"  And  doth  the  learned  Tuscan  say  aught  of  the  riches  of 
those  countries  ?"  demanded  Master  Alonzo — a  question  that 
caused  all  within  hearing  to  prick  up  their  ears,  afresh. 

"  That  doth  he,  and  in  these  precise  and  impressive  words — 
'  This  is  a  noble  country,'  observed  the  learned  Paul,  in  his 
missive,  '  and  ought  to  be  explored  by  us,  on  account  of  its 
great  riches,  and  the  quantity  of  gold,  silver,  and  precious 
stones,  which  might  be  obtained  there.'  He  moreover  de- 
scribed Quisay  as  being  five-and-thirty  leagues  in  circuit,  and 
addeth  that  its  name  in  the  Castilian,  is  '  the  City  of 
Heaven.'" 

"  In  which  case,"  muttered  Sancho,  though  in  a  tone  so  low 
that  no  one  but  Pepe  heard  him,  "  there  is  little  need  of  our 
bearing  thither  the  cross,  which  was  intended  for  the  benefit  of 
man,  and  not  of  paradise." 

"  I  see  here  two  large  islands,  Seiior  Almirante,"  continued 
Pinzon,  keeping  his  eyes  on  the  chart,  "  one  of  which  is  called 
Antilla,  and  the  other  is  the  Cipango  of  which  your  Excellency 
so  often  speaketh." 

"  Even  so,  good  Martin  Alonzo,  and  thou  also  seest  that  they 
are  laid  down  with  a   precision  that  must  prevent  any  expe- 

*  Note. — It  is  worthy  of  remark  that  the  city  of  Philadelphia  stands,  as  near  as  may 
be,  in  the  position  that  the  honest  Paul  Toscanelli  supposed  to  have  been  occupied  bt 
K  the  famous  city  of  Quisay.1' 


334  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

rienced  navigator  from  missing  his  way,  when  in  pursuit  of 
them.  These  islands  lie  just  two  hundred  and  twenty-five 
leagues  asunder." 

"  According  to  our  reckoning,  here,  in  the  Pinta,  noble 
Admiral,  we  cannot,  then,  be  far  from  Cipango  at  this  very 
moment." 

"It  would  so  seem  by  the  reckonings,  though  I  somewhat 
doubt  their  justness.  It  is  a  common  error  of  pilots  to  run 
ahead  of  their  reckonings,  but  in  this  instance,  apprehension 
hath  brought  ye  behind  them.  Cipango  lieth  many  days'  sail 
from  the  continent  of  Asia,  and  cannot,  therefore,  be  far  from 
this  spot ;  still  the  currents  have  been  adverse,  and  I  doubt  that 
it  will  be  found  that  we  are  as  near  this  island,  good  Martin 
Alonzo,  as  thou  and  thy  companions  imagine.  Let  the  chart 
be  returned,  and  I  will  trace  our  actual  position  on  it,  that  all 
may  see  what  reason  there  is  to  despond,  and  what  reason  to 
rejoice," 

Pinzon  now  took  the  chart,  rolled  it  together  carefully,  at- 
tached a  light  weight,  and  securing  the  whole  with  the  end  of  a 
log-line,  he  hove  it  on  board  the  Santa  Maria,  as  a  seaman 
makes  a  cast  with  the  lead.  So  near  were  the  vessels  at  the 
moment,  that  this  communication  was  made  without  any  diffi- 
culty ;  after  which,  the  Pinta,  letting  fall  an  additional  sail  or 
two,  flapped  slowly  ahead,  her  superiority,  particularly  in  light 
winds,  being  at  all  times  apparent. 

Columbus  now  caused  the  chart  to  be  spread  over  a  table  on 
the  poop,  and  invited  all  who  chose  to  draw  near,  in  order  that 
they  might,  with  their  own  eyes,  see  the  precise  spot  on  the 
ocean  where  the  admiral  supposed  the  vessels  to  be.  As  each 
day's  work  was  accurately  laid  down,  and  measured  on  the 
chart,  by  one  as  expert  as  the  great  navigator  himself,  there  is 
little  question  that  he  succeeded  in  showing  his  people,  as  near 
as  might  be,  and  subject  to  the  deduction  in  distance  that  was 
intentionally  made,  the  longitude  and  latitude  to  which  the  ex- 
pedition had  then  reached  ;  and  as  this  brought  them  quite 
near  those  islands  which  were  believed  to  lie  east  of  the  conti- 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  335 

neni  of  Asia,  this  tangible  proof  of  their  progress  had  far  more 
effect  than  any  demonstration  that  depended  on  abstract  reason- 
ing, even  when  grounded  on  premises  that  were  true ;  most 
men  submitting  sooner  to  the  authority  of  the  senses,  than  to 
the  influence  of  the  mere  mind.  The  seamen  did  not  stop  to  in- 
quire how  it  was  settled  that  Cipango  lay  in  the  precise  place 
where  it  had  been  projected  on  this  famous  chart,  but,  seeing 
it  there,  in  black  and  white,  they  were  disposed  to  believe  it 
was  really  in  the  spot  it  appeared  to  be  ;  and,  as  Columbus' 
reputation  for  keeping  a  ship's  reckoning  far  surpassed  that  of 
any  other  navigator  in  the  fleet,  the  facts  were  held  to  be 
established.  Great  was  the  joy,  in  consequence ;  and  the 
minds  of  the  people  again  passed  from  the  verge  of  despair 
to  an  excess  and  illusion  of  hope,  that  was  raised  only  to  be 
disappointed. 

That  Columbus  was  sincere  in  all  that  related  to  this  new 
delusion,  with  the  exception  of  the  calculated  reduction  of  the 
true  distance,  is  beyond  a  doubt.  In  common  with  the  cosmog- 
raphers  of  the  age,  he  believed  the  circumference  of  the  earth 
much  less  than  actual  measurement  has  since  shown  it  to  be ; 
striking  out  of  the  calculation,  at  once,  nearly  the  whole  breadth 
of  the  Pacific  Ocean.  That  this  conclusion  was  very  natural, 
will  be  seen  by  glancing  at  the  geographical  facts  that  the 
learned  then  possessed,  as  data  for  their  theories. 

It  was  known  that  the  continent  of  Asia  was  bounded  on  the 
east  by  a  vast  ocean,  and  that  a  similar  body  of  water  bounded 
Europe  on  the  west,  leaving  the  plausible  inference,  on  the 
supposition  that  the  earth  was  a  sphere,  that  nothing  but  is- 
lands existed  between  these  two  great  boundaries  of  land.  Less 
than  half  of  the  real  circumference  of  the  globe  is  to  be  found 
between  the  western  and  eastern  verges  of  the  old  continent,  as 
they  were  then  known ;  but  it  was  too  bold  an  effort  of  the 
mind,  to  conceive  that  startling  fact,  in  the  condition  of  human 
knowledge  at  the  close  of  the  fifteenth  century.  The  theories 
were  consequently  content  with  drawing  the  limits  of  the  east 
and  the  west  into  a  much  narrower  circle,  finding  no  data  for 


336  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

any  freer  speculation  ;  and  believing  it  a  sufficient  act  of  bold- 
ness to  maintain  the  spherical  formation  of  the  earth  at  all.  It 
is  true,  that  the  latter  theory  was  as  old  as  Ptolemy,  and  quite 
probably  much  older;  but  even  the  antiquity  of  a  system  be- 
gins to  be  an  argument  against  it,  in  the  minds  of  the  vulgar, 
when  centuries  elapse,  and  it  receives  no  confirmation  from 
actual  experiment.  Columbus  supposed  his  island  of  Cipango, 
or  Japan,  to  lie  about  one  hundred  and  forty  degrees  of  longi- 
tude east  of  its  actual  position  ;  and,  as  a  degree  of  longitude 
in  the  latitude  of  Japan,  or  35°  north,  supposing  the  surface  of 
the  earth  to  be  perfectly  spherical,  is  about  fifty-six  statute 
miles,  it  follows  that  Columbus  had  advanced  this  island,  on 
his  chart,  more  than  seven  thousand  English  miles  toward  the 
eastward,  or  a  distance  materially  exceeding  two  thousand  ma- 
rine leagues. 

All  this,  however,  was  not  only  hidden  in  mystery  as  regards 
the  common  men  of  the  expedition,  but  it  far  outstripped  the 
boldest  conceptions  of  the  great  navigator  himself.  Facts  of  this 
nature,  notwithstanding,  are  far  from  detracting  from  the  glory 
of  the  vast  discoveries-  that  were  subsequently  made,  since  they 
prove  under  what  moral  disadvantages  the  expedition  was 
conceived,  and  under  what  a  limited  degree  of  knowledge  it 
finally  triumphed. 

While  Columbus  was  thus  employed  with  the  chart,  it  was  a 
curious  thing  to  witness  the  manner  in  which  the  seamen 
watched  his  smallest  movement,  studied  the  expression  of  his 
grave  and  composed  countenance,  and  sought  to  read  their  fate 
in  the  contraction,  or  dilation,  of  his  eyes.  The  gentlemen  of 
the  Santa  Maria,  and  the  pilots,  stood  at  his  elbow,  and  here 
and  there  some  old  mariner  ventured  to  take  his  post  at  hand, 
where  he  could  follow  the  slow  progress  of  the  pen,  or  note  the 
explanation  of  a  figure.  Among  these  was  Sancho,  who  was 
generally  admitted  to  be  one  of  the  most  expert  seamen  in  the 
little  fleet — in  all  things,  at  least,  that  did  not  require  the  knowl- 
edge of  the  schools.  Columbus  even  turned  to  these  men,  and 
spoke  to  them  kindly,  endeavoring  to  make  them  comprehend 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  337 

a  part  of  their  calling,  which  they  saw  practised  daily,  without 
ever  succeeding  in  acquiring  a  practical  acquaintance  with  it, 
pointing  out  particularly  the  distance  come,  and  that  which  yet 
remained  before  them.  Others,  again,  the  less  experienced,  but 
not  the  less  interested  among  the  crew,  hung  about  the  rigging, 
whence  they  could  overlook  the  scene,  and  fancy  they  beheld 
demonstrations  that  came  of  theories  which  it  as  much  exceed- 
ed their  reasoning  powers  to  understand,  as  it  exceeded  their 
physical  vision  to  behold  the  desired  Indies  themselves.  As 
men  become  intellectual,  they  entertain  abstractions,  leaving 
the  dominion  of  the  senses  to  take  refuge  in  that  of  thought.. 
Until  this  change  arrives,  however,  we  are  all  singularly  in- 
fluenced by  a  parade  of  positive  things.  Words  spoken  seldom 
produce  the  effect  of  words  written  ;  and  the  praise  or  censure 
that  would  enter  lightly  and  unheeded  into  the  ear,  might  even 
change  our  estimates  of  character,  when  received  into  the  mind 
through  the  medium  of  the  eye.  Thus,  the  very  seamen,  who 
could  not  comprehend  the  reasoning  of  Columbus,  fancied  they 
understood  his  chart,  and  willingly  enough  believed  that  islands 
and  continents  must  exist  in  the  precise  places  where  they  saw 
them  so  plainly  delineated. 

After  this  exhibition,  cheerfulness  resumed  its  sway  over  the 
crew  of  the  Santa  Maria ;  and  Sancho,  who  was  generally  con- 
sidered as  of  the  party  of  the  admiral,  was  eagerly  appealed 
to  by  his  fellows,  for  many  of  the  little  circumstances  that 
were  thought  to  explain  the  features  of  the  chart. 

"Dost  think,  Sancho,  that  Cipango  is  as  large  as  the  admiral 
hath  got  the  island  on  the  chart  V  asked  one  who  had  passed 
from  the  verge  of  despair  to  the  other  extreme  ;  "  that  it  lieth 
fairly,  any  aye  may  see,  since  its  look  is  as  natural  as  that  of 
Ferro  or  Madeira." 

"That  hath  he,"  answered  Sancho,  positively,  "as  one  may 
see  by  its  shape.  Didst  not  notice  the  capes,  and  bays,  and 
head-lands,  all  laid  down  as  plainly  as  on  any  other  well- 
known  coast  ?  Ah !  these  Genoese  are  skilful  navigators  ;  and 
Senor   Colon,  our  noble  admiral,  hath  not   come  all  this  dis- 


338  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

tance  without  having  some  notion  in  what  roadstead  he  is  to 
anchor." 

In  such  conclusive  arguments,  the  dullest  minds  of  the  crew 
found  exceeding  consolation  ;  while  among  all  the  common 
people  of  the  ship,  there  was  not  one  who  did  not  feel  more 
confidence  in  the  happy  termination  of  the  voyage,  since  he  had 
this  seeming  ocular  proof  of  the  existence  of  land  in  the  part  of 
the  ocean  they  were  in. 

When  the  discourse  between  the  admiral  and  Pinzon  ceased, 
the  latter  made  sail  on  the  Pinta,  which  vessel  had  slowly 
passed  the  Santa  Maria,  and  was  now  a  hundred  yards,  or 
more,  ahead  of  her  ;  neither  going  through  the  water  at  a  rate 
exceeding  a  knot  an  hour.  At  the  moment  just  mentioned,  or 
while  the  men  were  conversing  of  their  newly  awakened  hopes, 
a  shout  drew  all  eyes  toward  their  consort,  where  Pinzon  was 
seen  on  the  poop,  waving  his  cap  in  exultation,  and  giving  the 
usual  proofs  of  extravagant  delight. 

"  Land  ! — Land!  Senor !"  he  shouted.  "I  claim  my  re- 
ward !     Land  !  Land  !" 

"  In  what  direction,  good  Martin  Alonzo  J"  asked  Columbus, 
so  eagerly  that  his  voice  fairly  trembled.  "In  which  quarter 
dost  thou  perceive  this  welcome  neighbor?" 

"  Here,  to  the  south-west,"  pointing  in  that  direction — "  a 
range  of  dim  but  noble  mountains,  and  such  as  promise  to  satis- 
fy the  pious  longings  of  the  Holy  Father  himself!" 

Every  eye  turned  toward  the  south-west,  and  there,  indeed, 
they  fancied  they  beheld  the  long-sought  proofs  of  their  suc- 
cess. A  faint,  hazy  mass  was  visible  in  the  horizon,  broken  in 
outline,  more  distinctly  marked  than  clouds  usually  are,  and  yet 
so  obscure  as  to  require  a  practised  eye  to  draw  it  out  of  the 
obscurity  of  the  void.  This  is  the  manner  in  which  land  often 
appears  to  seamen,  in  peculiar  conditions  of  the  atmosphere  ; 
others,  under  such  circumstances,  being  seldom  able  to  distin- 
guish it  at  all.  Columbus  was  so  practised  in  all  the  phenomena 
of  the  ocean,  that  the  face  of  every  man  in  the  Santa  Maria  was 
turned  toward  his,  in  breathless  expectation  of  the  result,  as 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  339 

soon  as  the  first  glance  had  been  given  toward  the  point  of  the 
compass  mentioned.  It  was  impossible  to  mistake  the  expres- 
sion of  the  admiral's  countenance,  which  immediately  became 
radiant  with  delight  and  pious  exultation.  Uncovering  himself, 
he  cast  a  look  upward  in  unbounded  gratitude,  and  then  fell  on 
his  knees,  to  return  open  thanks  to  God.  This  was  the  signal 
of  triumph,  and  yet,  in  their  desolate  situation,  exultation  was 
not  the  prevalent  feeling  of  the  moment.  Like  Columbus,  the 
men  felt  their  absolute  dependence  on  God ;  and  a  sense  of 
humble  and  rebuked  gratitude  came  over  every  spirit,  as  it 
might  be  simultaneously.  Kneeling,  the  entire  crews  of  the 
three  vessels  simultaneously  commenced  the  chant  of  "  Gloria 
in  excelsis  Deo !"  lifting  the  voice  of  praise,  for  the  first  time 
since  the  foundations  of  the  earth  were  laid,  in  that  deep  soli- 
tude of  the  ocean.  Matins  and  vespers,  it  is  true,  were  then 
habitually  repeated  in  most  Christian  ships ;  but  this  sublime 
chant  was  now  uttered  to  waves  that  had  been  praising  their 
Maker,  in  their  might  and  in  their  calm,  for  so  many  thousand 
years,  for  the  first  time  in  the  voice  of  man. 

u Glory  be  to  God  on  high!"  sang  these  rude  mariners,  with 
hearts  softened  by  their  escapes,  dangers,  and  success,  speaking 
as  one  man,  though  modulating  their  tones  to  the  solemn  har- 
mony of  a  religious  rite — "  and  on  earth  peace,  good  will  to- 
ward men.  We  praise  thee,  we  bless  thee,  we  worship  thee,  we 
glorify  thee,  we  give  thanks  to  thee  for  thy  great  glory  !  0  Lord 
God!  Heavenly  King!  God  the  Father  Almighty /"  &c.,  dtc. 

In  this  noble  chant,  which  would  seem  to  approach  as  near 
to  the  praises  of  angels  as  human  powers  can  ever  hope  to  rise, 
the  voice  of  the  admiral  was  distinct,  and  deep,  but  trembling 
with  emotion. 

When  this  act  of  pious  gratitude  was  performed,  the  men  as- 
cended the  rigging  to  make  more  certain  of  their  success.  All 
agreed  in  pronouncing  the  faintly  delineated  mass  to  be  land, 
and  the  first  sudden  transport  of  unexpected  joy  was  succeeded 
by  the  more  regulated  feelings  of  confirmed  security.  The  sun 
set  a  little  north  of  the  dim  mountains,  and  night  closed  around 


340  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

the  scene,  shadowing  the  ocean  with  as  much  gloom  as  is  ever 
to  be  found  beneath  a  tropical  and  cloudless  sky.  As  the  first 
watch  was  set,  Columbus,  who,  whenever  the  winds  would 
allow,  had  persevered  in  steering  what  he  fancied  to  be  a  due- 
west  course,  to  satisfy  the  longings  of  his  people,  ordered  the 
vessels  to  haul  up  to  south-west  by  compass,  which  was,  in  fact, 
heading  south-west-by-south-southerly.  The  wind  increased, 
and,  as  the  admiral  had  supposed  the  land  to  be  distant  about 
twenty-five  leagues,  when  last  seen,  all  in  the  little  fleet  confi- 
dently relied  on  obtaining  a  full  and  complete  view  of  it  in  the 
morning.  Columbus  himself  entertained  this  hope,  though  he 
varied  his  course  reluctantly,  feeling  certain  that  the  continent 
would  be  met  by  sailing  west,  or  wdiat  he  thought  to  be  west, 
though  he  could  have  no  similar  confidence  as  to  making  any 
island. 

Few  slept  soundly  that  night — visions  of  oriental  riches,  and 
of  the  wonders  of  the  East,  crowding  on  the  minds  of  even  the 
least  imaginative,  converting  their  slumbers  into  dreams  render- 
ed uneasy  by  longings  for  gold,  and  anticipations  of  the  won- 
ders of  the  unknown  East.  The  men  left  their  hammocks, 
from  hour  to  hour,  to  stand  in  the  rigging,  watching  for  some 
new  proofs  of  their  proximity  to  the  much-desired  islands,  and 
straining  their  eyes  in  vain,  in  the  hope  of  looking  deeper  into 
the  obscurity  in  quest  of  objects  that  fancy  had  already  begun 
to  invest  with  forms.  In  the  course  of  the  night,  the  vessels 
ran  in  a  direct  line  toward  the  south-west,  seventeen  of  the 
twenty -five  leagues  that  Columbus  had  supposed  alone  separated 
him  from  this  new  discovery  ;  and  just  before  the  light  dawned, 
every  soul  in  the  three  vessels  was  stirring,  in  the  eager  hope 
of  having  the  panorama  of  day  open  on  such  a  sight,  as  they 
felt  it  to  be  but  a  slight  grievance  to  have  come  so  far,  and  to 
have  risked  so  much,  to  behold. 

"  Yonder  is  a  streak  of  light,  glimmering  in  the  east,"  cried 
Luis,  in  a  cheerful  voice  ;  "  and  now,  Senor  Almirante,  we  may 
unite  in  terming  you  the  honored  of  the  eaith  !" 

"  All  rests  with  God,  my  young  friend,"  returned  Columbus ; 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  34l 

"  whether  land  is  near  us  or  not,  it  boundeth  the  western  ocean, 
and  to  that  boundary  we  must  proceed.  Thou  art  right,  truly, 
friend  Gutierrez  ;  the  light  is  beginning  to  shed  itself  along  the 
eastern  margin  of  the  sea,  and  even  to  rise  in  an  arch  into  the 
vault  above  it." 

"  Would  that  the  sun  rose,  for  this  one  day,  in  the  west, 
that  we  might  catch  the  first  glimpse  of  our  new  possessions  in 
that  radiant  field  of  heaven,  which  his  coming  rays  are  so 
gloriously  illuminating  above  the  track  we  have  just  passed  !" 

"  That  will  not  happen,  Master  Pedro,  since  Sol  hath  jour- 
neyed daily  round  this  planet  of  ours,  from  east  to  west,  since 
time  began,  and  will  so  continue  to  journey  until  time  shall 
cease.  This  is  a  fact  on  which  our  senses  may  be  trusted, 
though  they  mislead  us  in  so  many  other  things." 

So  reasoned  Columbus,  a  man  whose  mind  had  out-stripped 
the  age,  in  his  favorite  study,  and  who  was  usually  so  calm 
and  philosophical ;  simply  because  he  reasoned  in  the  fetters  of 
habit  and  prejudice.  The  celebrated  system  of  Ptolemy,  that 
strange  compound  of  truth  and  error,  was  the  favorite  astronom- 
ical law  of  the  day.  Copernicus,  who  was  then  but  a  mere 
youth,  did  not  reduce  the  just  conception  of  Pythagoras — just 
in  outline,  though  fanciful  in  its  connection  with  both  cause 
and  effect — to  the  precision  of  science  for  many  years  after  the 
discovery  of  America ;  and  it  is  a  strong  proof  of  the  dangers 
which  attended  the  advancement  of  thought,  that  he  was  re- 
warded for  this  vast  effort  of  human  reason,  by  excommunica- 
tion from  the  church,  the  maledictions  of  which  actually  rested 
on  his  soul,  if  not  on  his  body,  until  within  a  few  years  of  the 
present  moment !  This  single  circumstance  will  show  the  read- 
er how  much  our  navigator  had  to  overcome  in  achieving  the 
great  office  he  had  assumed. 

But  all  this  time,  the  day  is  dawning,  and  the  light  is  begin- 
ning to  diffuse  itself  over  the  entire  panorama  of  ocean  and  sky. 
As  means  were  afforded,  each  look  eagerly  took  in  the  whole 
range  of  the  western  horizon,  and  a  chill  of  disappointment 
settled  on  every  heart,  as  suspicion  gradually  became  confirm  a- 
15 


342  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

tion,  that  no  land  was  visible.  The  vessels  had  passed,  in  the 
night,  those  bounds  of  the  visible  horizon,  where  masses  of 
clouds  had  settled  ;  and  no  one  could  any  longer  doubt  that  his 
senses  had  been  deceived  by  some  accidental  peculiarity  in  the 
atmosphere.  All  eyes  now  turned  again  to  the  admiral,  who, 
while  he  felt  the  disappointment  in  his  inmost  heart,  main- 
tained a  dignified  calm  that  it  was  not  easy  to  disturb. 

"These  signs  are  not  infrequent  at  sea,  Senor,"  he  said  to 
those  near  him,  speaking  loud  enough,  nevertheless,  to  be  heard 
by  most  of  the  crew,  "  though  seldom  as  treacherous  as  they 
have  now  proved  to  be.  All  accustomed  to  the  ocean  have 
doubtless  seen  them  often  ;  and  as  physical  facts,  they  must  be 
taken  as  counting  neither  for  nor  against  us.  As  omens,  each 
person  will  consider  them  as  he  putteth  his  trust  in  God,  whose 
grace  and  mercy  to  us  all,  is  yet,  by  a  million  of  times,  unre- 
quited?  and  still  would  be,  were  we  to  sing  Glory  in  excelsis,  from 
morn  till  night,  as  long  as  breath  lasted  for  the  sacred  office." 

"Still,  our  hope  was  so  very  strong,  Don  Christopher,"  ob- 
served one  of  the  gentlemen,  "  that  we  find  the  disappointment 
hard  to  be  borne.  You  speak  of  omens,  Senor  ;  are  there  any 
physical  signs  of  our  being  near  the  land  of  Cathay  ?" 

"  Omens  come  of  God,  if  they  come  at  all.  They  are  a 
species  of  miracles  preceding  natural  events,  as  real  miracles 
surpass  them.  I  think  this  expedition  cometh  of  God  ;  and  I 
see  no  irreverence  in  supposing  that  this  late  appearance  of  land 
may  have  been  heaped  along  the  horizon  for  an  encouraging 
sign  to  persevere,  and  as  a  proof  that  our  labors  will  be  re- 
warded in  the  end.  I  cannot  say,  nevertheless,  that  any  but 
natural  means  were  used,  for  these  deceptions  are  familiar  to 
us  mariners. " 

"  I  shall  endeavor  so  to  consider  it,  Senor  Aimirante,"  grave- 
ly returned  the  other,  and  the  conversation  dropped. 

The  non-appearance  of  the  land,  which  had  been  so  confi- 
dently hoped  for,  produced  a  deep  gloom  in  the  vessels,  not- 
withstanding ;  again  changing  the  joy  of  their  people  into 
despondency.     Columbus  continued  to  steer  due  west  by  com- 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  343 

pass,  or  west-by-south-southerly,  in  reality,  until  meridian, 
when,  yielding  to  the  burning  wishes  of  those  around  him,  he 
again  altered  his  course  to  the  south-west.  This  course  was 
followed  until  the  ships  had  gone  far  enough  in  that  direction 
to  leave  no  doubt  that  the  people  had  been  misled  by  clouds, 
the  preceding  evening.  At  night,  when  not  the  faintest  hope 
remained,  the  vessels  kept  away  due  west  again,  running,  in  the 
course  of  the  twenty-four  hours,  quite  thirty-one  leagues,  which 
Avere  recorded  before  the  crew  as  twenty-four. 

For  several  succeeding  days  no  material  changes  occurred. 
The  wind  continued  favorable,  though  frequently  so  light  as  to 
urge  the  vessels  very  slowly  ahead,  reducing  the  day's  progress 
sometimes  to  little  more  than  fifty  of  our  English  miles.  The 
sea  was  calm,  and  weeds  were  again  met,  though  in  much 
smaller  quantities  than  before.  September  29th,  or  the  fourth 
day  after  Pinzon  had  called  out  "land,"  another  frigate-bird 
was  seen ;  and  as  it  was  the  prevalent  notion  among  seamen  that 
this  bird  never  flew  far  from  the  shore,  some  faint  hopes  were 
momentarily  revived  by  his  passage.  Two  pelicans  also  ap- 
peared, and  the  air  was  so  soft  and  balmy  that  Columbus  de- 
clared nothing  but  nightingales  were  wanting,  to  render  the 
nights  as  delicious  as  those  of  Andalusia. 

In  this  manner  did  birds  come  and  go,  exciting  hopes  that 
were  doomed  to  be  disappointed ;  sometimes  flying  in  numbers 
that  would  seem  to  forbid  the  idea  that  they  could  be  straying 
on  the  waste  of  waters,  without  the  certainty  of  their  position. 
Again,  too,  the  attention  of  the  admiral  and  of  the  people,  was 
drawn  to  the  variation  of  the  needle,  all  uniting  in  the  opinion 
that  the  phenomenon  was  only  to  be  explained  by  the  move- 
ments of  the  star.  At  length  the  first  day  of  October  arrived, 
and  the  pilots  of  the  admiral's  vessel  seriously  set  to  work  to 
ascertain  the  distance  they  had  come.  They  had  been  misled, 
as  well  as  the  rest,  by  the  management  of  Columbus,  and  they 
now  approached  the  latter,  as  he  stood  at  his  usual  post  on  the 
poop,  in  order  to  give  the  result  of  their  calculations,  with 
countenances  that  were  faithful  indexes  of  the  concern  they  felt 


344  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

"  We  are  not  less  than  five  hundred  and  seventy-eight  leagues 
T\est  of  Ferro,  Senor  Almirante,"  commenced  one  of  the  two ; 
•'  a  fearful  distance  to  venture  into  the  bosom  of  an  unknown 
ocean !" 

"  Thou  say'st  true,  honest  Bartolemeo,"  returned  Columbus, 
calmly;  " though  the  further  we  venture,  the  greater  will  be 
the  honor.  Thy  reckoning  is  even  short  of  the  truth,  since  this 
of  mine,  which  is  no  secret  from  our  people,  giveth  even  five 
hundred  and  eighty-four  leagues,  fully  six  more  than  thine. 
But,  after  all,  this  scarce  equalleth  a  voyage  from  Lisbon  to 
Guinea,  and  we  are  not  men  to  be  outdone  by  the  seamen  of 
Don  John !" 

"  Ah  !  Senor  Almirante,  the  Portuguese  have  their  islands 
by  the  way,  and  the  old  world  at  their  elbows ;  while  we,  should 
this  earth  prove  not  to  be  really  a  sphere,  are  hourly  sailing 
toward  its  verge,  and  are  running  into  untried  dangers !" 

"  Go  to,  Bartolemeo  !  thou  talkest  like  a  river-man  who  hath 
been  blown  outside  his  bar  by  a  strong  breeze  from  the  land, 
and  who  fancieth  his  risks  greater  than  man  ever  yet  endured, 
because  the  water  that  wetteth  his  tongue  is  salt.  Let  the  men 
see  this  reckoning,  fearlessly  ;  and  strive  to  be  of  cheer,  lest  we 
remember  thy  misgivings  beneath  the  groves  of  Cathay." 

"The  man  is  sorely  beset  with  dread,"  coolly  observed  Luis, 
as  the  pilots  descended  from  the  poop  with  a  lingering  step  and 
a  heavy  heart.  "Even  your  six  short  leagues  added  to  the 
weight  on  his  spirit.  Five  hundred  and  seventy- eight  were 
frightful,  but  five  hundred  and  eighty-four  became  burdensome 
to  his  soul!" 

"  What  would  he  then  have  thought  had  he  known  the  truth, 
of  which,  young  count,  even  thou  art  ignorant  ?" 

"  I  hope  you  do  not  distrust  my  nerves,  Don  Christopher, 
that  this  matter  is  kept  a  secret  from  me  VI 

"I  ought  not,  I  do  believe,  Senor  de  Llera ;  and  yet  one 
gets  to  be  distrustful  even  of  himself,  when  weighty  concerns 
hang  by  a  thread.  Hast  thou  any  real  idea  of  the  length  of  the 
road  we  have  come  ?" 


MERCEDES      OF     CASTILE.  345 

"  Not  I,  by  St.  Iago  !  Seiior.  It  is  enough  for  me  that  we 
are  far  from  the  Dona  Mercedes,  and  a  league  more  or  less 
counts  but  little.  Should  your  theory  be  true,  and  the  earth 
prove  to  be  round,  I  have  the  consolation  of  knowing  that  we 
shaL  get  back  to  Spain,  in  time,  even  by  chasing  the  sun." 

"  Still  thou  hast  some  general  notion  of  our  true  distance 
from  Ferro,  knowing  that  each  day  it  is  lessened  before  the 
people." 

"  To  tell  you  the  truth,  Don  Christopher,  arithmetic  and  I 
have  little  feeling  for  each  other.  For  the  life  of  me,  I  never 
could  tell  the  exact  amount  of  my  own  revenues,  in  figures, 
though  it  might  not  be  so  difficult  to  come  at  their  results,  in 
another  sense.  If  truth  were  said,  however,  I  should  think  your 
five  hundred  and  eighty  leagues  might  fairly  be  set  down  at 
some  six  hundred  and  ten  or  twenty." 

"  Add  yet  another  hundred  and  thou  wilt  not  be  far  from 
the  fact.  We  are,  at  this  moment,  seven  hundred  and  seven 
leagues  from  Ferro,  and  fast  drawing  near  to  the  meridian 
of  Cipango.  In  another  glorious  week,  or  ten  days  at  most, 
I  shall  begin  seriously  to  expect  to  see  the  continent  of 
Asia!" 

"  This  is  travelling  faster  than  I  had  thought,  Seiior,"  an- 
swered Luis,  carelessly  ;  "  but  journey  on  ;  one  of  your  follow 
ers  will  not  complain,  though  we  circle  the  earth  itself." 


246  MERCEDES      OF     CAST  I  LB. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

"  Pronounce  what  sea,  what  shore  is  this  ? 
The  gulf,  the  rock  of  Salamis  ?" 

Byeon. 

The  adventurers  had  now  been  twenty-three  days  out  of 
sight  of  land,  all  of  which  time,  with  the  exception  of  a  few 
very  immaterial  changes  in  the  wind,  and  a  day  or  two  of 
calms,  they  had  been  steadily  advancing  toward  the  west,  with 
a  southern  variation  that  ranged  between  a  fourth  of  a  point 
and  a  point  and  a  quarter,  though  the  latter  fact  was  unknown 
to  them.  Their  hopes  had  been  so  often  raised  to  be  disap- 
pointed, that  a  sort  of  settled  gloom  now  began  to  prevail 
among  the  common  men,  which  was  only  relieved  by  irregular 
and  uncertain  cries  of  "  land,"  as  the  clouds  produced  their 
usual  deceptions  in  the  horizon.  Still  their  feelings  were  in 
that  feverish  state  which  admits  of  any  sudden  change ;  and  as 
the  sea  continued  smooth  as  a  river,  the  air  balmy,  and  the 
skies  most  genial,  they  were  prevented  from  falling  into  de- 
spair. Sancho  reasoned,  as  usual,  among  his  fellows,  resisting 
ignorance  and  folly,  with  impudence  and  dogmatism ;  while 
Luis  unconsciously  produced  an  effect  on  the  spirits  of  his  asso- 
ciates by  his  cheerfulness  and  confidence.  Columbus,  himself, 
remained  calm,  dignified,  and  reserved,  relying  on  the  justice 
of  his  theories,  and  continuing  resolute  to  attain  his  object. 
The  wind  remained  fair,  as  before,  and  in  the  course  of  the 
night  and  day  of  the  2d  of  October,  the  vessels  sailed  more 
than  a  hundred  miles  still  further  into  that  unknown  and  mys- 
terious sea.  The  weeds  now  drifted  westerly,  which  was  a 
material  change,  the  currents  previously  setting,  in  the  main,  in 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE,  347 

an  opposite  direction.  The  3d  proved  even  a  still  more  favor* 
able  day,  the  distance  made  reaching  to  forty-seven  leagues. 
The  admiral  now  began  to  think  seriously  that  he  had  passed 
the  islands  laid  down  in  his  chart,  and,  with  the  high  resolution 
of  one  sustained  by  grand  conceptions,  he  decided  to  stand  on 
wesj:,  with  the  intention  of  reaching  the  shores  of  the  Indies,  at 
once.  The  4th  was  a  better  day  than  either,  the  little  fleet 
passing  steadily  ahead,  without  deviating  from  its  course,  until 
it  had  fairly  made  one  hundred  and  eighty-nine  miles,  much  the 
greatest  day's  work  it  had  yet  achieved.  This  distance,  so 
formidable  to  men  who  began  to  count  each  hour  and  each 
league  with  uneasiness,  was  reckoned  to  all  on  board,  but  Luis, 
as  only  one  hundred  and  thirty-eight  miles. 

Friday,  October  5th,  commenced  even  more  favorably,  Co- 
lumbus finding  his  ship  gliding  though  the  water — there  being 
no  sea  to  cause  her  to  reel  and  stagger — at  the  rate  of  about 
eight  miles  the  hour,  which  was  almost  as  fast  as  she  had  ever 
been  known  to  go,  and  which  would  have  caused  this  day's 
work  to  exceed  the  last,  had  not  the  wind  failed  in  the  night. 
As  it  was,  however,  fifty-seven  more  leagues  were  placed  be- 
tween Ferro  and  the  position  of  the  vessel ;  a  distance  that  was 
reduced  to  forty-five,  with  the  crew.  The  following  day  brought 
no  material  change,  Providence  appearing  to  urge  them  on  at  a 
speed  that  must  soon  solve  the  great  problem  which  the  ad- 
miral had  been  so  long  discussing  with  the  learned.  It  was 
already  dark,  when  the  Pinta  came  sheering  down  upon  the 
quarter  of  the  Santa  Maria,  until  she  had  got  so  near  that  her 
commander  hailed  without  the  aid  of  a  trumpet. 

"  Is  Seiior  Don  Christopher  at  his  post,  as  usual  V  hurriedly 
demanded  Pinzon,  speaking  like  one  who  felt  he  had  matter  of 
weight  upon  his  mind  :  "I  see  persons  on  the  poop,  but  know 
not  if  his  Excellency  be  among  them." 

"  What  wouldst  thou,  good  Martin  Alonzo  VI  answered  the 
admiral :  "  I  am  here,  watching  for  the  shores  of  Cipango,  or 
Cathay,  whichever  God,  in  his  goodness,  may  be  pleased  first 
to  give  us." 


348  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

"I  see  so  many  reasons,  noble  admiral,  for  changing  our 
course  more  to  the  south,  that  I  could  not  resist  the  desire  to 
come  down  and  say  as  much.  Most  of  the  late  discoveries  have 
been  made  in  the  southern  latitudes,  and  we  might  do  well  to 
get  more  southing." 

"  Have  we  gained  aught  by  changing  our  course  in  this  di- 
rection ?  Thy  heart  seemeth  bent  on  more  southern  climes, 
worthy  friend  ;  while  to  my  feelings  we  are  now  in  the  very 
paradise  of  sweets,  land  only  excepted.  Islands  may  lie  south, 
or  even  north  of  us  ;  but  a  continent  must  lie  west.  Why 
abandon  a  certainty  for  an  uncertainty  ?  the  greater  for  the  less? 
Cipango,  or  Cathay,  for  some  pleasant  spot,  fragrant  with  spices 
no  doubt,  but  without  a  name,  and  which  can  never  equal  the 
glories  of  Asia,  either  as  a  discovery  or  as  a  conquest  V9 

"  I  would,  Senor,  I  might  prevail  on  you  to  steer  more  to 
the  south !" 

"Go  to,  Martin  Alonzo,  and  forget  thy  cravings.  My  heart 
is  in  the  west,  and  thither  reason  teacheth  me  to  follow  it. 
First  hear  my  orders,  and  then  go  seek  the  Nina,  that  thy 
brother,  the  worthy  Vicente  Yanez,  may  obey  them  also. 
Should  aught  separate  us  in  the  night,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of 
all  to  stand  manfully  toward  the  west,  striving  to  find  our  com- 
pany ;  for  it  would  be  a  sad,  as  well  as  a  useless  thing,  to  be 
wandering  alone  in  this  unknown  ocean." 

Pinzon,  though  evidently  much  displeased,  was  fain  to  obey, 
and  after  a  short  but  a  sharp  and  loud  altercation  with  the  ad- 
miral, the  commander  of  the  Pinta  caused  her  to  sheer  toward 
the  felucca  to  execute  the  order. 

"  Martin  Alonzo  beginneth  to  waver,"  Columbus  observed  to 
Luis.  "  He  is  a  bold  and  exceeding  skilful  mariner,  but  steadi- 
ness of  object  is  not  his  greatest  quality.  He  must  be  restrained 
from  following  the  impulses  of  his  weakness,  by  the  higher  hand 
of  authority.     Cathay  ! — Cathay  is  my  aim  !" 

After  midnight  the  wind  increased,  and  for  two  hours  the 
caravels  glanced  through  the  smooth  ocean  at  their  greatest 
speed,  which  equalled  nine  English  miles  the  hour.     Few  now 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  349 

undressed,  except  to  change  their  clothes  ;  and  Columbus  slum- 
bered on  the  poop  that  night,  using  an  old  sail  for  his  couch. 
Luis  was  his  companion,  and  both  were  up  and  on  the  deck 
with  the  first  appearance  of  dawn.  A  common  feeling  seemed 
to  exist  among  all,  that  land  was  near,  and  that  a  great  discov- 
ery was  about  to  be  made.  An  annuity  of  ten  thousand 
maravedis  had  been  promised  by  the  sovereigns  to  him  who 
should  first  descry  land,  and  every  eye  was  on  the  gaze,  when- 
ever opportunity  permitted,  to  gain  the  prize. 

As  the  light  diffused  itself  downward  toward  the  margin  of 
the  ocean,  in  the  western  horizon,  all  thought  there  was  the 
appearance  of  land,  and  sail  was  eagerly  crowded  on  the  dif- 
ferent vessels,  in  order  to  press  forward  as  fast  as  possible,  that 
their  respective  crews  might  enjoy  the  earliest  and  the  best 
chances  of  obtaining  the  first  view.  In  this  respect,  circum- 
stances singularly  balanced  the  advantages  and  disadvantages 
between  the  competitors.  The  Nina  was  the  fastest  vessel  in 
light  airs  and  smooth  water,  but  she  was -also  the  smallest.  Th6 
Pinta  came  next  in  general  speed,  holding  a  middle  place  in 
size,  and  beating  her  consorts  with  a  fresh  breeze ;  while  the 
Santa  Maria,  the  last  in  point  of  sailing,  had  the  highest  masts, 
and  consequently  swept  the  widest  range  of  horizon. 

"There  is  a  good  feeling  uppermost  to-day,  Seiior  Don 
Christopher, "  said  Luis,  as  he  stood  at  the  admiral's  side, 
watching  the  advance  of  the  light;  "  and  if  eyes  can  do  it,  we 
may  hope  for  the  discovery  of  land.  The  late  run  hath  awaken- 
ed all  our  hopes,  and  land  we  must  have,  even  if  we  raise  it 
from  the  bottom  of  the  ocean." 

"  Yonder  is  Pepe,  the  dutiful  husband  of  Monica,  perched  on 
our  highest  yard,  straining  his  eyes  toward  the  west,  in  th<s 
hope  of  gaining  the  reward  L"  said  Columbus,  smiling.  "  Ten 
thousand  maravedis,  yearly,  would,  in  sooth,  be  some  atone- 
ment to  carry  back  to  the  grieved  mother  and  the  deserted 
boy !" 

"  Martin  Alonzo  is  in  earnest,  also,  Senor.  See  how  ho 
presseth  forward  in  the  Pinta;  but  Vicente  Yanez   hath  the 


o50  MERCEDES      OF     CASTILE. 

heels  of  him,  and  is  determined  to  make  his  salutations  first  to 
the  Great  Khan,  neglectful  of  the  elder  brother's  rights." 

"  Senor ! — Seiiores  !"  shouted  Sancho  from  the  spar  on 
which  he  was  seated  as  composedly  as  a  modern  lady  would 
recline  on  her  ottoman — "  the  felucca  is  speaking  in  signals." 

"  This  is  true,"  cried  Columbus — "  Vicente  Yanez  showeth 
the  colors  of  the  queen,  and  there  goeth  a  lombarda  to  an- 
nounce some  great  event !" 

As  these  were  the  signals  directed  in  the  event  that  either 
vessel  should  discover  land  before  her  consorts,  little  doubt  was 
entertained  that  the  leading  caravel  had,  at  last,  really  an- 
nounced the  final  success  of  the  expedition.  Still  the  recent 
and  grave  disappointment  was  remembered,  and,  though  all 
devoutly  poured  out  their  gratitude  in  mental  offerings,  their 
lips  were  sealed  until  the  result  should  show  the  truth.  Every 
rag  of  canvas  was  set,  however,  and  the  vessels  seemed  to  hasten 
their  speed  toward  the  west,  like  birds  tired  with  an  unusual 
flight,  which  make  new  efforts  with  their  wearied  wings  as  the 
prospect  of  alighting  suddenly  breaks  on  their  keen  vision  and 
active  instincts. 

Hour  passed  after  hour,  however,  and  brought  no  confirma- 
tion of  the  blessed  tidings.  The  western  horizon  looked  heavy 
and  clouded  throughout  the  morning,  it  is  true,  often  deceiving 
even  the  most  practised  eyes  ;  but  as  the  day  advanced,  and 
the  vessels  had  passed  more  than  fifty  miles  further  toward  the 
west,  it  became  impossible  to  ascribe  the  hopes  of  the  morning 
to  another  optical  illusion.  The  depression  of  spirits  that  suc- 
ceeded this  new  disappointment  was  greater  than  any  that  had 
before  existed,  and  the  murmurs  that  arose  were  neither  equivo- 
cal nor  suppressed.  It  was  urged  that  some  malign  influence 
was  leading  the  adventurers  on,  finally  to  abandon  them  to  de- 
spair and  destruction,  in  a  wilderness  of  waters.  This  is  the 
moment  when,  it  has  been  said,  Columbus  was  compelled  to 
make  conditions  with  his  followers,  stipulating  to  abandon  the 
enterprise  altogether,  should  it  fail  of  success  in  a  given  number 
of  days.     But  this  weakness  has  been  falsely  ascribed  to  the 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  351 

great  navigator,  who  never  lost  the  fullest  exercise  of  his  au- 
thority, even  in  the  darkest  moments  of  doubt ;  maintaining  his 
purpose,  and  asserting  his  power,  with  the  same  steadiness  and 
calmness,  in  what  some  thought  this  distant  verge  of  the  earth, 
as  he  had  done  in  the  rivers  of  Spain.  Prudence  and  policy  at 
last  dictated  a  change  of  course,  however,  which  he  was  neither 
too  obstinate  nor  too  proud  to  submit  to,  and  he  accordingly 
adopted  it  of  his  own  accord. 

"  We  are  now  quite  a  thousand  leagues  from  Ferro,  by  my 
private  reckoning,  friend  Luis,"  said  Columbus  to  his  young 
companion,  in  one  of  their  private  conferences,  which  took 
place  after  nightfall,  "and  it  is  really  time  to  expect  the  conti- 
nent of  Asia.  Hitherto  I  have  looked  for  naught  but  islands, 
and  not  with  much  expectation  of  seeing  even  them,  though 
Martin  Alonzo  and  the  pilots  have  been  so  sanguine  in  their 
hopes.  The  large  flocks  of  birds,  however,  that  have  appeared 
to-day,  would  seem  to  invite  us  to  follow  their  flights — land, 
out  of  doubt,  being  their  aim.  I  shall  accordingly  change  our 
course  more  to  the  south,  though  not  as  far  as  Pinzon  desireth, 
Cathay  being  still  my  goal." 

Columbus  gave  the  necessary  orders,  and  the  two  other  cara- 
vels were  brought  within  hail  of  the  Santa  Maria,  when  their 
commanders  were  directed  to  steer  west- south-west.  The  reason 
for  this  change  was  the  fact  that  so  many  birds  had  been  seen 
flying  in  that  direction.  The  intention  of  the  admiral  was  to 
pursue  this  course  for  two  days.  Notwithstanding  this  altera- 
tion, no  land  was  visible  in  the  morning ;  but,  as  the  wind  was 
light,  and  the  vessels  had  only  made  five  leagues  since  the  course 
was  changed,  the  disappointment  produced  less  despondency 
than  usual.  In  spite  of  their  uncertainty,  all  in  the  vessels  now 
rioted  in  the  balmy  softness  of  the  atmosphere,  which  was  found 
so  fragrant  that  it  was  delicious  to  breathe  it.  The  weeds,  too, 
became  more  plenty,  and  many  of  them  were  as  fresh  as  if  torn 
from  their  native  rocks  only  a  day  or  two  previously.  Birds, 
that  unequivocally  belonged  to  the  land,  were  also  seen  in  con- 
siderable numbers,   one  of  which  was  actually  taken ;   while 


Zb2 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 


ducks  abounded,  and  another  pelican  was  met.  Thus  passed 
the  8th  of  October,  the  adventurers  filled  with  hope,  though  the 
vessels  only  increased  their  distance  from  Europe  some  forty 
miles  in  the  course  of  the  twenty-four  hours.  The  succeeding 
day  brought  no  other  material  change  than  a  shift  of  wind, 
which  compelled  the  admiral  to  alter  his  course  to  west- by-north, 
for  a  few  hours.  This  caused  him  some  uneasiness,  for  it  was 
his  wish  to  proceed  due  west,  or  west-southerly ;  though  it 
afforded  considerable  relief  to  many  among  his  people,  who  had 
been  terrified  by  the  prevalence  of  the  winds  in  one  direction. 
Had  the  variation  still  existed,  this  would  have  been,  in  fact, 
steering  the  very  course  the  admiral  desired  to  go  ;  but  by  this 
time,  the  vessels  were  in  a  latitude  and  longitude  where  the 
needle  resumed  its  powers  and  became  faithful  to  its  direction. 
In  the  course  of  the  night,  the  trades  also  resumed  their  influ- 
ence; and  early  on  the  morning  of  the  10th,  the  vessels  again 
headed  toward  the  west-south-west,  by  compass,  which  was,  in 
truth,  the  real  course,  or  as  near  to  it  as  might  be. 

Such  was  the  state  of  things  when  the  sun  rose  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  10th  October,  1492.  The  wind  had  freshened,  and 
all  three  of  the  vessels  were  running  free  the  whole  day,  at  a 
rate  varying  from  five  knots  to  nine.  The  signs  of  the  proximity 
of  land  had  been  so  very  numerous  of  late,  that,  at  every  league 
of  ocean  they  passed  over,  the  adventurers  had  the  strongest  ex- 
pectations of  discovering  it,  and  nearly  every  eye  in  all  three  of 
the  ships  was  kept  constantly  bent  on  the  western  horizon,  in  the 
hope  of  its  owner's  being  the  first  to  make  the  joyful  announce- 
ment of  its  appearance.  The  cry  of  "land"  had  been  so 
frequent  of  late,  however,  that  Columbus  caused  it  to  be  made 
known  that  he  who  again  uttered  it  causelessly,  should  lose  the 
reward  promised  by  the  sovereigns,  even  should  he  happen  to 
be  successful  in  the  end.  This  information  induced  more  cau- 
tion, and  not  a  tongue  betrayed  its  master's  eagerness  on  this 
all-engrossing  subject,  throughout  the  anxious  and  exciting  days 
of  the  8th,  9th,  and  10th  October.  But,  their  progress  in  the 
course  of  the  10th  exceeding  that  made  in  the  course  of  both 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  353 

the  other  days,  the  evening  sky  was  watched  with  a  vigilance 
even  surpasssing  that  which  had  attended  any  previous  sunset. 
This  was  the  moment  most  favorable  for  examining  the  western 
horizon,  the  receding  light  illuminating  the  whole  watery  expanse 
in  that  direction,  in  a  way  to  give  up  all  its  secrets  to  the  eye. 

"  Is  that  a  hummock  of  land  f '  asked  Pepe  of  Sancho,  in  a 
low  voice,  as  they  lay  together  on  a  yard,  watching  the  upper 
limb  of  the  sun,  as  it  settled,  like  a  glimmering  star,  beneath 
the  margin  of  the  ocean ;  "  or  is  it  some  of  this  misguiding  va- 
por that  hath  so  often  misled  us  of  late  ?" 

"  'Tis  neither,  Pepe,"  returned  the  more  cool  and  experienced 
Sancho  ;  "  but  a  rise  of  the  sea,  which  is  ever  thus  tossing  itself 
upward  on  the  margin  of  the  ocean.  Didst  ever  see  a  calm  so 
profound,  that  the  water  left  a  straight  circle  on  the  horizon  ? 
No — no — there  is  no  land  to  be  seen  in  the  west  to-night ;  the 
ocean,  in  that  quarter,  looking  as  blank  as  if  we  stood  on  the 
western  shore  of  Ferro,  and  gazed  outward  into  the  broad 
fields  of  the  Atlantic.  Our  noble  admiral  may  have  the  truth 
of  his  side,  Pepe ;  but,  as  yet,  he  hath  no  other  evidence  of  it 
than  is  to  be  found  in  his  reasons." 

"  And  dost  thou,  too,  take  sides  against  him,  Sancho,  and  say 
that  he  is  a  madman  who  is  willing  to  lead  others  to  destruc- 
tion, as  well  as  himself,  so  that  he  die  an  admiral  in  fact,  and  a 
viceroy  in  fancy !" 

"  I  take  sides  against  no  man  whose  doblas  take  sides  with 
me,  Pepe  ;  for  that  would  be  quarrelling  with  the  best  friend 
that  both  the  rich  and  poor  can  make,  which  is  gold.  Don 
Christopher  is  doubtless  very  learned,  and  one  thing  hath  he 
settled  to  my  satisfaction,  even  though  neither  he  nor  any  of  us 
ever  see  a  single  jewel  of  Cathay,  or  pluck  a  hair  from  the 
beard  of  the  Great  Khan,  and  that  is,  that  this  world  is  round  ; 
had  it  been  a  plain,  all  this  water  would  not  be  placed  at  the  outer 
side,  since  it  would  clearly  run  off,  unless  dammed  up  by  land. 
Thou  canst  conceive  that,  Pepe  ?" 

"  That  do  I ;  it  is  reasonable  and  according  to  every  man's 
experience.     Monica  thinketh  the  Genoese  a  saint !" 


354  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

"  Harkee,  Pepe  ;  thy  Monica  is  no  doubt  an  uncommonly 
sensible  woman,  else  would  she  never  have  taken  thee  for  a 
husband,  when  she  might  have  chosen  among  a  dozen  of  thy 
fellows.  I  once  thought  of  the  girl  myself,  and  might  have 
told  her  so,  had  she  seen  fit  to  call  me  a  saint,  too,  which  she 
did  not,  seeing  that  she  used  a  very  different  epithet.  But, 
admitting  the  Senor  Colon  to  be  a  saint,  he  would  be  none  the 
better  admired  for  it,  inasmuch  as  I  never  yet  met  with  a 
saint,  or  even  with  a  virgin,  that  could  understand  the  bear- 
ings and  distances  of  a  run  as  short  as  that  from  Cadiz  to  Bar- 
celona." 

"Thou  speakest  irreverently,  Sancho,  of  virgins  and  saints, 
seeing  that  they  know  every  thing" — 

"  Ay,  every  thing  but  that.  Our  Lady  of  Rabida  does  not 
know  south-east~andTby-southe-half-southe,  from  north-west- 
and-by-noathe-half-noathe.  I  have  tried  her,  in  this  matter, 
and  I  tell  thee  she  is  as  ignorant  of  it  as  thy  Monica  is  igno- 
rant of  the  manner  in  which  the  Duchess  of  Medina  Sidonia 
saluteth  the  noble  duke,  her  husband,  when  he  returneth  from 
hawking." 

"  I  dare  say  the  duchess  would  not  know,  either,  what  to  say, 
were  she  in  Monica's  place,  and  were  she  called  on  to  receive 
me,  as  Monica  will  be,  when  we  return  from  this  great  expedi- 
tion. If  I  have  never  hawked,  neither  hath  the  duke  ever  sailed 
for  two-and-thirty  days,  in  a  west  course  from  Ferro,  and  this, 
too,  without  once  seeing  land  I" 

"Thou  say'st  true,  Pepe;  nor  hast  thou  ever  yet  done  this 
and  returned  to  Palos.  But  what  meaneth  all  this  movement 
on  deck  ?  Our  people  seem  to  be  much  moved  by  some  feel- 
ing, while  I  can  swear  it  is  not  from  having  discovered  Cathay, 
or  from  having  seen  the  Great  Khan,  shining  like  a  carbuncle, 
on  his  throne  of  diamonds." 

"It  is  rather  that  they  do  not  see  him  thus,  that  the  men  are 
moved.  Dost  not  hear  angry  and  threatening  words  from  the 
mouths  of  the  troublesome  ones  ?" 

"  By  San  Iago  !  were  I  Don  Christopher,  but  I  would  deduct 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  355 

a  dobla  from  the  wages  of  each  of  the  rascals,  and  give  the 
gold  to  such  peaceable  men  as  you  and  me,  Pepe,  who  are 
willing  to  starve  to  death,  ere  we  will  go  back  without  a  sight 
of  Asia." 

"  'Tis  something  of  this  sort,  of  a  truth,  Sancho.  Let  us 
descend,  that  his  Excellency  may  see  that  he  hath  some  friends 
among  the  crew." 

As  Sancho  assented  to  this  proposition,  he  and  Pepe  stood 
on  the  deck  in  the  next  minute.  Here,  indeed,  the  people 
were  found  in  a  more  mutinous  state  than  they  had  been  since 
the  fleet  left  Spain.  The  long  continuation  of  fair  winds,  and 
pleasant  weather,  had  given  them  so  much  reason  to  expect  a 
speedy  termination  of  their  voyage,  that  nearly  the  whole  crew 
were  now  of  opinion  it  was  due  to  themselves  to  insist  on  the 
abandonment  of  an  expedition  that  seemed  destined  to  lead  to 
nothing  but  destruction.  The  discussion  was  loud  and  angry, 
even  one  or  two  of  the  pilots  inclining  to  think,  with  their  in- 
feriors, that  further  perseverance  would  certainly  be  useless, 
and  might  be  fatal.  When  Sancho  and  Pepe  joined  the 
crowd,  it  had  just  been  determined  to  go  in  a  body  to  Colum- 
bus, and  to  demand,  in  terms  that  could  not  be  misconceived, 
the  immediate  return  of  the  ships  to  Spain.  In  order  that  this 
might  be  done  with  method,  Pedro  Alonzo  Mno,  one  of  the 
pilots,  and  an  aged  seaman  called  Juan  Martin,  were  selected  as 
spokesmen.  At  this  critical  moment,  too,  the  admiral  and  Luis 
were  seen  descending  from  the  poop,  with  an  intent  to  retire  to 
their  cabin,  when  a  rush  was  made  aft,  by  all  on  deck,  and 
twenty  voices  were  heard  simultaneously  crying — 

"Senor — Don  Christopher — Your  Excellency — Senor  Almi- 
rante  !" 

Columbus  stopped,  and  faced  the  people  with  a  calmness 
and  dignity  that  caused  the  heart  of  Nino  to  leap  toward  his 
mouth,  and  which  materially  checked  the  ardor  of  most  of  his 
followers. 

"  What  would  ye  V  demanded  the  admiral,  sternly.  "  Speak' 
Ye  address  a  friend." 


356  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

"  We  come  to  ask  our  precious  lives,  Senor,"  answered  Juan 
Martin,  who  thought  his  insignificance  might  prove  a  shield — 
"  nay,  what  is  more,  the  means  of  putting  bread  into. the  mouths 
of  our  wives  and  children.  All  here  are  weary  of  this  profitless 
voyage,  and  most  think  if  it  last  any  longer  than  shall  be  neces- 
sary to  return,  it  will  be  the  means  of  our  perishing  of  want." 

"  Know  ye  the  distance  that  lieth  between  us  and  Ferro, 
that  ye  come  to  me  with  this  blind  and  foolish  request  ?  Speak, 
Nino  ;  I  see  that  thou  art  also  of  their  number,  notwithstand- 
ing thy  hesitation." 

"  Senor,"  returned  the  pilot,  "  we  are  all  of  a  mind.  To 
go  further  into  this  blank  and  unknown  ocean,  is  tempting  God 
to  destroy  us,  for  our  wilfulness.  It  is  vain  to  suppose  that  this 
broad  belt  of  water  hath  been  placed  by  Providence  around 
the  habitable  earth  for  any  other  purpose  than  to  rebuke  those 
who  audaciously  seek  to  be  admitted  to  mysteries  beyond  their 
understanding.  Do  not  all  the  churchmen,  Seiior — the  pious 
prior  of  Santa  Maria  de  Rabida,  your  own  particular  friend, 
included — tell  us  constantly  of  the  necessity  of  submitting  to  a 
knowledge  we  can  never  equal,  and  to  believe  without  striving 
to  lift  a  veil  that  covers  incomprehensible  things  ?" 

"  I  might  retort  on  thee,  honest  Nino,  with  thine  own 
words,"  answered  Columbus,  "and  bid  thee  confide  in  those 
whose  knowledge  thou  canst  never  equal,  and  to  follow  sub- 
missively where  thou  art  totally  unfitted  to  lead.  Go  to ;  with- 
draw with  thy  fellows,  and  let  rne  hear  no  more  of  this." 

"  Nay,  Seiior,"  cried  two  or  three  in  a  breath,  "  we  cannot 
perish  without  making  our  complaints  heard.  We  have  followed 
too  far  already,  and,  even  now,  may  have  gone  beyond  the 
means  of  a  safe  return.  Let  us,  then,  turn  the  heads  of  the  cara 
vels  toward  Spain,  this  night,  lest  we  never  live  to  see  that 
blessed  country  again." 

"  This  toucheth  on  revolt !  Who  among  ye  dare  use  lan- 
guage so  bold,  to  your  admiral  J" 

"  All  of  us,  Senor,"  answered  twenty  voices  together.  "  Men 
need  be  bold,  when  their  lives  would  be  forfeited  by  silence." 


MERCEDES      OF     CASTILE.  357 

"  Sancho,  art  thou,  too,  of  the  party  of  these  mutineers  ? 
Dost  thou  confess  thy  heart  to  be  Spain-sick,  and  thy  unmanly 
fears  to  be  stronger  than  thy  hopes  of  imperishable  glory  and 
thy  longings  for  the  riches  and  pleasures  of  Cathay  f" 

"  If  I  do,  Senor  Don  Almirante,  set  me  to  greasing  masts, 
and  take  me  from  the  helm,  forever,  as  one  unfit  to  watch  the 
whirlings  of  the  north  star.  Sail  with  the  caravels,  into  the 
hall  of  the  Great  Khan,  and  make  fast  to  his  throne,  and  you 
will  find  Sancho  at  his  post,  whether  it  be  at  the  helm  or  at 
the  lead.  He  was  born  in  a  ship-yard,  and  hath  a  natural  de- 
sire to  know  what  a  ship  can  do." 

"  And  thou,  Pepe  ?  Hast  thou  so  forgotten  thy  duty  as  to 
come  with  this  language  to  thy  commander  ?  to  the  admiral 
and  viceroy  of  thy  sovereign,  the  Dona  Isabella  ?" 

"  Viceroy  over  what?"  exclaimed  a  voice  from  the  crowd, 
without  permitting  Pepe  to  answer.  "A  viceroy  over  sea- 
weed, and  one  that  hath  tunny-fish,  and  whales,  and  pelicans, 
for  subjects  !  We  tell  you,  Senor  Colon,  that  this  is  no  treat- 
ment for  Castilians,  who  require  more  substantial  discoveries 
than  fields  of  weeds,  and  islands  of  clouds !" 

"  Home  !— Home  !  —  Spain !  —  Spain  !  —  Palos  !  —  Palos  !" 
cried  nearly  all  together,  Sancho  and  Pepe  having  quitted  the 
throng  and  ranged  themselves  at  the  side  of  Columbus.  "  We 
will  *no  further  west,  which  is  tempting  God  ;  but  demand  to 
be  carried  back  whence  we  came,  if,  indeed,  it  be  not  already 
too  late  for  so  happy  a  deliverance." 

"To  whom  speak  ye  in"  this  shameless  manner,  graceless 
knaves?"  exclaimed  Luis,  unconsciously  laying  a  hand  where  it 
had  been  his  practice  to  carry  a  rapier.     "Get  ye  gone,  or" — 

"  Be  tranquil,  friend  Pedro,  and  leave  this  matter  with  me," 
interrupted  the  admiral,  whose  composure  had  scarce  been  de- 
ranged by  the  violent  conduct  of  his  subordinates.  "  Listen  to 
what  I  have  to  say,  ye  rude  and  rebellious  men,  and  let  it  be 
received  as  my  final  answer  to  any  and  all  such  demands  as  ye 
have  just  dared  to  make.  This  expedition  hath  been  sent  forth 
by  the  two  sovereigns,  your  royal  master  and  mistress,  with  the 


358  MERCEDES      OF     CASTILE. 

express  design  of  crossing  the  entire  breadth  of  the  vast  Atlan- 
tic, until  it  might  reach  the  shores  of  India.  Now,  let  what 
will  happen,  these  high  expectations  shall  not  be  disappointed ; 
but  westward  we  sail,  until  stopped  by  the  land.  For  this  de- 
termination, my  life  shall  answer.  Look  to  it,  that  none  of 
yours  be  endangered  by  resistance  to  the  royal  orders,  or  by 
disrespect  and  disobedience  to  their  appointed  substitute  ;  for, 
another  murmur,  and  I  mark  the  man  that  uttereth  it,  for  signal 
punishment.  In  this  ye  have  my  full  determination,  and  beware 
of  encountering  the  anger  of  those  whose  displeasure  may  prove 
more  fatal  than  these  fancied  dangers  of  the  ocean. 

"  Look  at  what  ye  have  before  you,  in  the  way  of  fear,  and 
then  at  what  ye  have  before  ye,  in  the  way  of  hope.  In  the 
first  case,  ye  have  every  thing  to  dread  from  the  sovereigns' 
anger,  should  ye  proceed  to  a  violent  resistance  of  their  author- 
ity ;  or,  what  is  as  bad,  something  like  a  certainty  of  your  being 
unable  to  reach  Spain,  for  want  of  food  and  water,  should  ye 
revolt  against  your  lawful  leaders  and  endeavor  to  return.  For 
this,  it  is  now  too  late.  The  voyage  east  must,  as  regards  time, 
be  double  that  we  have  just  made,  and  the  caravels  are  begin- 
ning to  be  lightened  in  their  casks.  Land,  and  land  in  this  re- 
gion, hath  become  necessary  to  us.  Now  look  at  the  other  side 
of  the  picture.  Before  ye,  lieth  Cathay,  with  all  its  riches,  its 
novelties,  and  its  glories !  A  region  more  wonderful  than  anyihat 
hath  yet  been  inhabited  by  man,  and  occupied  by  a  race  as 
gentle  as  they  are  hospitable  and  just.  To  this  must  be  added 
the  approbation  of  the  sovereigns,  and  the  credit  that  will  be- 
long to  the  meanest  mariner  that  hath  manfully  stood  by  his 
commander  in  achieving  so  great  an  end." 

"  If  we  will  obey  three  days  longer,  Senor,  will  you  then  turn 
toward  Spain,  should  no  land  be  seen  ?"  cried  a  voice  from  the 
crowd. 

"Never,"  returned  Columbus,  firmly.  "To  India  am  I 
bound,  and  for  India  will  I  steer,  though  another  month  be 
needed  to  complete  the  journey.  Go,  then,  to  your  posts  or  your 
hammocks,  and  let  me  hear  no  more  of  this." 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  359 

There  was  so  much  natural  dignity  in  the  manner  of  Colum- 
bus, and  when  he  spoke  in  anger,  his  voice  carried  so  much  of 
rebuke  with  it,  that  it  exceeded  the  daring  of  ordinary  men  to 
presume  to  answer  when  he  commanded  silence.  The  people 
sullenly  dispersed,  therefore,  though  the  disaffection  was  by  no 
means  appeased.  Had  there  been  only  a  single  vessel  in  the 
expedition,  it  is  quite  probable  that  they  would  have  proceeded 
to  some  act  of  violence  ;  but,  uncertain  of  the  state  of  feeling  in 
the  Pinta  and  the  Nina,  and  holding  Martin  Alonzo  Pinzon  in 
as  much  habitual  respect  as  they  stood  in  awe  of  Columbus,  the 
boldest  among  them  were,  for  the  present,  fain  to  give  vent  to 
their  dissatisfaction  in  murmurs,  though  they  secretly  meditated 
decided  measures,  as  soon  as  an  opportunity  for  consultation 
and  concert  with  the  crews  of  the  other  vessels  might  offer. 

"This  looketh  serious,  Senor,"  said  Luis,  as  soon  as  he  and 
the  admiral  were  alone  again  in  their  little  cabin,  "  and,  by  St. 
Luke  !  it  might  cool  the  ardor  of  these  knaves,  did  your  Ex- 
cellency suffer  me  to  cast  two  or  three  of  the  most  insolent  of 
the  vagabonds  into  the  sea." 

"  Which  is  a  favor  that  some  among  them  have  actually  con- 
templated conferring  upon  thee  and  me,"  answered  Columbus. 
"  Sancho  keepeth  me  well  informed  of  the  feeling  among  the  peo- 
ple, and  it  is  now  many  days  since  he  hath  let  me  know  this  fact. 
We  will  proceed  peaceably,  if  possible,  Senor  Gutierrez,  or  de  Mu- 
nos,  whichever  name  thou  most  affectest,  as  long  as  we  can  ;  but 
should  there  truly  arise  an  occasion  to  resort  to  force,  thou  wilt 
find  that  Christofero  Columbo  knoweth  how  to  wield  a  sword 
as  well  as  he  knoweth  how  to  use  his  instruments  of  science." 

"  How  far  do  you  really  think  us  from  land,  Senor  Almir- 
ante  ?  I  ask  from  curiosity,  and  not  from  dread ;  for  though 
the  ship  floated  on  the  very  verge  of  the  earth,  ready  to  fall  off 
into  vacuum,  you  should  hear  no  murmur  from  me." 

"lam  well  assured  of  this,  young  noble,"  returned  Colum- 
bus, affectionately  squeezing  the  hand  of  Luis,  "  else  wouldst 
thou  not  be  here.  I  make  our  distance  from  Ferro  exceed  a 
thousand  marine  leagues ;  this  is  about  the  same  as  that  at 


360  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

which  I  have  supposed  Cathay  to  lie  from  Europe,  and  it  is,  out 
of  question,  sufficiently  far  to  meet  with  many  of  the  islands  that 
are  known  to  abound  in  the  seas  of  Asia.  The  public  reckoning 
maketh  the  distance  a  little  more  than  eight  hundred  leagues  ; 
but,  in  consequence  of  the  favorable  currents  of  which  we  have 
lately  had  so  much,  I  doubt  if  we  are  not  fully  eleven  hundred 
from  the  Canaries,  at  this  moment,  if  not  even  further.  "We  are 
doubtless  a  trifle  nearer  to  the  Azores,  which  are  situated  further 
west,  though  in  a  higher  latitude." 

"  Then  you  think,  Seiior,  that  we  may  really  expect  land,  ere 
many  days  ?" 

"  So  certain  do  I  feel  of  this,  Luis,  that  I  should  have  little 
apprehension  of  complying  with  the  terms  of  these  audacious 
men,  but  for  the  humiliation.  Ptolemy  divided  the  earth  into 
twenty-four  hours,  of  fifteen  degrees  each,  and  I  place  but  some 
five  or  six  of  these  hours  in  the  Atlantic.  Thirteen  hundred 
leagues,  I  feel  persuaded,  will  bring  us  to  the  shores  of  Asia, 
and  eleven  of  these  thirteen  hundred  leagues  do  I  believe  we 
have  come." 

"  To-morrow  may  then  prove  an  eventful  day,  Senor  Al- 
mirante  ;  and  now  to  our  cots,  where  I  shall  dream  of  a  fairer 
land  than  Christian  eye  ever  yet  looked  upon,  with  the  fairest 
maiden  of  Spain — nay,  by  San  Pedro  !  of  Europe — beckoning 
me  on  !" 

Columbus  and  Luis  now  sought  their  rest.  In  the  morning, 
it  was  evident  by  the  surly  looks  of  the  people,  that  feelings 
like  a  suppressed  volcano  were  burning  in  their  bosoms,  and 
that  any  untoward  accident  might  produce  an  eruption.  For- 
tunately, however,  signs,  of  a  nature  so  novel,  soon  appeared, 
as  to  draw  off  the  attention  of  the  most  disaffected  from  their 
melancholy  broodings.  The  wind  was  fresh,  as  usual  fair,  and, 
what  was  really  a  novelty  since  quitting  Ferro,  the  sea  had. got 
up,  and  the  vessels  were  riding  over  waves  which  removed  that 
appearance  of  an  unnatural  calm  that  had  hitherto  alarmed  the 
men  with  its  long  continuance.  Columbus  had  not  been  on 
deck  five  minutes,  when  a  joyful  cry  from  Pepe  drew  all  eyes 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  361 

toward  the  yard  on  which  he  was  at  work.  The  seaman  was 
pointing  eagerly  at  some  object  in  the  water,  and  rushing  to  the 
side  of  the  vessel,  all  saw  the  welcome  sign  that  had  caught  his 
gaze.  As  the  ship  lifted  on  a  sea,  and  shot  ahead,  a  rush  of  a 
bright  fresh  green  was  passed,  and  the  men  gave  a  loud  shout, 
for  all  well  knew  that  this  plant  certainly  came  from  some 
shore,  and  that  it  could  not  have  been  long  torn  from  the  spot 
of  its  growth. 

"  This  is  truly  a  blessed  omen  !"  said  Columbus  ;  "  rushes 
cannot  grow  without  the  light  of  heaven,  whatever  may  be  the 
case  with  weeds." 

This  little  occurrence  changed,  or  at  least  checked,  the  feel- 
ings of  the  disaffected.  Hope  once  more  resumed  its  sway, 
and  all  who  could,  ascended  the  rigging  to  watch  the  western 
horizon.  The  rapid  motion  of  the  vessels,  too,  added  to  this 
buoyancy  of  feeling,  the  Pinta  and  Nina  passing  and  repassing 
the  admiral,  as  it  might  be  in  pure  wantonness.  A  few  hours 
later,  fresh  weeds  were  met,  and  about  noon  Sancho  announced 
confidently  that  he  had  seen  a  fish  which  is  known  to  live  in 
the  vicinity  of  rocks.  An  hour  later,  the  Nina  came  sheering 
up  toward  the  admiral,  with  her  commander  in  the  rigging, 
evidently  desirous  of  communicating  some  tidings  of  moment. 

"  What  now,  good  Vicente  Yanez?"  called  out  Columbus  ; 
"  thou  seemest  the  messenger  of  welcome  news  !" 

"  I  think  myself  such,  Don  Christopher,"  answered  the 
other.  "  We  have  just  passed  a  bush  bearing  roseberries, 
quite  newly  torn  from  the  tree  !  This  is  a  sign  that  cannot 
deceive  us." 

"  Thou  say'st  true,  my  friend.  To  the  west ! — to  the  west ! 
Happy  will  he  be  whose  eyes  first  behold  the  wonders  of  the 
Indies  I" 

It  would  not  be  easy  to  describe  the  degree  of  hope  and 
exultation  that  now  began  to  show  itself  among  the  people. 
Good-natured  jests  flew  about  the  decks,  and  the  laugh  was 
easily  raised  where  so  lately  all  had  been  despondency  and 
gloom.      The   minutes   flew  swiftly  by,   and  every  man   had 


362  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

ceased  to  think  of  Spain,  bending  his  thoughts  again  on  the  as 
yet  unseen  west. 

A  little  later,  a  cry  of  exultation  was  heard  from  the  Pinta, 
which  was  a  short  distance  to  windward  and  ahead  of  the  ad- 
miral. As  this  vessel  shortened  sail  and  hove-to,  lowering  a 
boat,  and  then  immediately  kept  away,  the  Santa  Maiia  soon 
came  foaming  up  under  her  quarter,  and  spoke  her. 

"  What  now,  Martin  Alonzo  ?"  asked  Columbus,  suppressing 
his  anxiety  in  an  appearance  of  calmness  and  dignity.  "  Thou 
and  thy  people  seem  in  an  ecstasy  !" 

"  Well  may  we  be  so  !  About  an  hour  since,  we  passed  a 
piece  of  the  cane-plant,  of  the  sort  of  which  sugar  is  made  in 
the  East,  as  travellers  say,  and  such  as  we  often  see  in  our  own 
ports.  But  this  is  a  trifling  symptom  of  land  compared  to  the 
trunk  of  a  tree  that  we  have  also  passed.  As  if  Providence  had 
not  yet  dealt  with  us  with  sufficient  kindness,  all  these  articles 
were  met  floating  near  each  other  ;  and  we  have  thought  them 
of  sufficient  value  to  lower  a  boat,  that  we  might  possess 
them." 

"  Lay  thy  sails  to  the  mast,  good  Martin  Alonzo,  and  send 
thy  prizes  hither,  that  I  may  judge  of  their  value." 

Pinzon  complied,  and  the  Santa  Maria  being  hove-to,  at  the 
same  time,  the  boat  soon  touched  her  side.  Martin  Alonzo 
made  but  one  bound  from  the  thwart  to  the  gunwale  of  the 
ship,  and  was  soon  on  the  deck  of  the  admiral.  Here  he 
eagerly  displayed  the  different  articles  that  his  men  tossed  after 
him,  all  of  which  had  been  taken  out  of  the  sea,  not  an  hour 
before. 

"  See,  noble  Senores,"  said  Martin  Alonzo,  almost  breath- 
less with  haste  to  display  his  treasures — "  this  is  a  sort  of  board, 
though  of  unknown  wood,  and  fashioned  with  exceeding  care  : 
here  is  also  another  piece  of  cane :  this  is  a  plant  that  surely 
cometh  from  the  land  ;  and  most  of  all,  this  is  a  walking-stick, 
fashioned  by  the  hand  of  man,  and  that,  too,  with  exceeding 
care  !" 

"  All  this  is  true,"  said  Columbus,  examining  the  different 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  363 

articles,  one  by  one ;  "  God,  in  his  might  and  power,  be  praised 
for  these  comfortable  evidences  of  our  near  approach  to  a  new 
world  !  None  but  a  malignant  Infidel  can  now  doubt  of  our 
final  success." 

"  These  things  have  questionless  come  from  some  boat  that 
hath  been  upset,  which  will  account  for  their  being  so  near 
each  other  in  the  water,"  said  Martin  Alonzo,  willing  to  sustain 
his  physical  proofs  by  a  plausible  theory.  "  It  would  not  be 
wonderful  were  drowned  bodies  near." 

" Let  us  hope  not,  Martin  Alonzo,"  answered  the  admiral; 
"  let  us  fancy  naught  so  melancholy.  A  thousand  accidents  may 
have  thrown  these  articles  together,  into  the  sea;  and  once 
there,  they  would  float  in  company  for  a  twelvemonth,  unless 
violently  separated.  But  come  they  whence  they  may,  to  us, 
they  are  infallible  proofs  that  not  only  land  is  near,  but  lai  d 
which  is  the  abiding-place  of  mien." 

It  is  not  easy  to  describe  the  enthusiasm  that  now  prevailed 
in  all  the  vessels.  Hitherto  they  had  met  with  only  birds,  and 
fishes,  and  weeds,  signs  that  are  often  precarious ;  but  here  was 
such  proof  of  their  being  in  the  neighborhood  of  their  fellow- 
creatures,  as  it  was  not  easy  to  withstand.  It  was  true,  articles 
of  this  nature  might  drift,  in  time,  even  across  the  vast  distance 
they  had  come  ;  but  it  was  not  probable  that  they  would  drift 
so  far  in  company.  Then,  the  berries  were  fresh,  the  board 
was  of  an  unknown  wood,  and  the  walking-stick,  in  particular, 
if  such  indeed  was  its  use,  was  carved  in  a  manner  that  was 
never  practised  in  Europe.  The  different  articles  passed  from 
hand  to  hand,  until  all  in  the  ship  had  examined  them  ;  and 
every  thing  like  doubt  vanished  before  this  unlooked-for  confir- 
mation of  the  admiral's  predictions.  Pinzon  returned  to  his 
vessel,  sail  was  again  made,  and  the  fleet  continued  to  steer  to 
the  west-south-west,  until  the  hour  of  sunset. 

Something  like  a  chill  of  disappointment  again  came  over  the 
more  faint-hearted  of  the  people,  however,  as  they  once  more, 
or  for  the  thirty-fourth  time  since  quitting  Gomera,  saw  the 
sun  sink  behind  a  watery  horizon.     More  than  a  hundred  vigi- 


864  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

lant  eyes  watched  the  glowing  margin  of  the  ocean,  at  this  in- 
teresting moment,  and  though  the  heavens  were  cloudless,  naught 
was  visible  but  the  gloriously  tinted  vault,  and  the  outline  of  wa- 
ter, broken  into  the  usual  ragged  forms  of  the  unquiet  element. 

The  wind  freshened  as  evening  closed,  and  Columbus  having 
called  his  vessels  together,  as  was  usual  with  him  at  that  hour, 
he  issued  new  orders  concerning  the  course.  For  the  last  two 
or  three  days  they  had  been  steeling  materially  to  the  southward 
of  west,  and  Columbus,  who  felt  persuaded  that  his  most  cer- 
tain and  his  nearest  direction  from  land  to  land,  was  to  traverse 
the  ocean,  if  possible,  on  a  single  parallel  of  latitude,  was  anx- 
ious to  resume  his  favorite  course,  which  was  what  he  fancied 
to  be  due  west.  Just  as  night  drew  around  the  mariners,  ac- 
cordingly, the  ships  edged  away  to  the  required  course,  and  ran 
off  at  the  rate  of  nine  miles  the  hour,  following  the  orb  of  day 
as  if  resolute  to  penetrate  into  the  mysteries  of  his  nightly  re- 
treat, until  some  great  discovery  should  reward  the  effort. 

Immediately  after  this  change  in  the  course,  the  people  sang 
the  vesper  hymn,  as  usual,  which,  in  that  mild  sea,  they  often 
deferred  until  the  hour  when  the  watch  below  sought  their  ham- 
mocks. That  night,  however,  none  felt  disposed  to  sleep  ;  and 
it  was  late  when  the  chant  of  the  seamen  commenced,  with  the 
words  of  "Salve  fac  ReginaP  It  was  a  solemn  thing  to  hear 
the  songs  of  religious  praise  mingling  with  the  sighings  of  the 
breeze  and  the  wash  of  the  waters,  in  that  ocean  solitude  ;  and 
the  solemnity  was  increased  by  the  expectations  of  the  adven- 
turers and  the  mysteries  that  lay  behind  the  curtain  they  be- 
lieved themselves  about  to  raise.  Never  before  had  this  hymn 
sounded  so  sweetly  in  the  ears  of  Columbus,  and  Luis  found  his 
eyes  suffusing  with  tears,  as  he  recalled  the  soft  thrilling  notes 
of  Mercedes'  voice,  in  her  holy  breathings  of  praise  at  this 
hour.  When  the  office  ended,  the  admiral  called  the  crew  to 
the  quarter-deck,  and  addressed  them  earnestly  from  his  station 
on  the  poop. 

"I  rejoice,  my  friends,"  he  said,  "that  you  have  had  the 
grace  to  chant  the  vesper  hymn  in  so  devout  a  spirit,  at  a  mo- 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  365 

ment  when  there  is  so  much  reason  to  be  grateful  to  God  for  his 
goodness  to  us  throughout  this  voyage.  Look  back  at  the  past 
and  see  if  one  of  you,  the  oldest  sailor  of  your  number,  can 
recall  any  passage  at  sea,  I  will  not  say  of  equal  length,  for  that 
no  one  here  hath  ever  before  made,  but  any  equal  number  of 
days  at  sea,  in  which  the  winds  have  been  as  fair,  the  weather 
is  propitious,  or  the  ocean  as  calm,  as  on  this  occasion.  Then 
what  cheering  signs  have  encouraged  us  to  persevere  !  God  is 
in  the  midst  of  the  ocean,  my  friends,  as  well  as  in  his  sanctua- 
ries of  the  land.  Step  by  step,  as  it  were,  hath  he  led  us  on, 
now  filling  the  air  with  birds,  now  causing  the  sea  to  abound 
with  unusual  fishes,  and  then  spreading  before  us  fields  of  plants, 
such  as  are  seldom  met  far  from  the  rocks  where  they  grew. 
The  last  and  best  of  his  signs  hath  he  given  us  this  day.  My 
own  calculations  are  in  unison  with  these  proofs,  and  I  deem  it 
probable  that  we  reach  the  land  this  very  night.  In  a  few  hours, 
or  when  we  shall  have  run  the  distance  commanded  by  the  eye, 
as  the  light  left  us,  I  shall  deem  it  prudent  to  shorten  sail ;  and 
I  call  on  all  of  you  to  be  watchful,  lest  we  unwittingly  throw 
ourselves  on  the  strange  shores.  Ye  know  that  the  sovereigns 
have  graciously  promised  ten  thousand  maravedis,  yearly,  and 
for  life,  to  him  who  shall  first  discover  land :  to  this  rich  reward 
I  will  add  a  doublet  of  velvet,  such  as  it  wrould  befit  a  grandee 
to  wear.  Sleep  not,  then ;  but,  at  the  turn  of  the  night,  be  all 
vigilance  and  watchfulness.  I  am  now  most  serious  with  ye, 
and  look  for  land  this  very  blessed  night." 

These  encouraging  words  produced  their  full  effect,  the  men 
scattering  themselves  in  the  ship,  each  taking  the  best  position 
he  could,  to  earn  the  coveted  prizes.  Deep  expectation  is  al- 
ways a  quiet  feeling,  the  jealous  senses  seeming  to  require  si- 
lence and  intensity  of  concentration,  in  order  to  give  them  their 
full  exercise.  Columbus  remained  on  the  poop,  while  Luis,  less 
interested,  threw  himself  on  a  sail,  and  passed  the  time  in  mus- 
ing on  Mercedes,  and  in  picturing  to  himself  the  joyful  moment 
when  he  might  meet  her  again,  a  triumphant  and  successful  ad- 
venturer. 

16 


380  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

The  deatli-like  silence  that  prevailed  in  the  ship,  added  to 
the  absorbing  interest  of  that  important  night.  At  the  distance 
of  a  mile  was  the  little  Nina,  gliding  on  her  course  with  a  full 
sail ;  while  half  a  league  still  further  in  advance,  was  to  be  seen 
the  shadowy  outline  of  the  Pinta,  which  preceded  her  consorts, 
as  the  swiftest  sailer  with  a  fresh  breeze.  Sancho  had  been 
round  to  every  sheet  and  brace,  in  person,  and  never  before  had 
the  admiral's  ship  held  as  good  way  with  her  consorts  as  on  that 
night,  all  three  of  the  vessels  appearing  to  have  caught  the 
eager  spirit  of  those  they  contained,  and  to  be  anxious  to  outdo 
themselves.  At  moments  the  men  started,  while  the  wind  mur- 
mured through  the  cordage,  as  if  they  heard  unknown  and 
strange  voices  from  a  mysterious  world ;  and  fifty  times,  when 
the  waves  combed  upon  the  sides  of  the  ship,  did  they  turn 
their  heads,  expecting  to  see  a  crowd  of  unknown  beings,  fresh 
from  the  eastern  world,  pouring  in  upon  their  decks. 

As  for  Columbus,  he  sighed  often ;  for  minutes  at  a  time 
would  he  stand  looking  intently  toward  the  west,  like  one  who 
strove  to  penetrate  the  gloom  of  night,  with  organs  exceeding 
human  powers.  At  length  he  bent  his  body  forward,  gazed  in- 
tently over  the  weather  railing  of  the  ship,  and  then,  lifting  his 
cap,  he  seemed  to  be  offering  up  his  spirit  in  thanksgiving  or 
prayer.  All  this  Luis  witnessed  where  he  lay  :  at  the  next  in- 
stant he  heard  himself  called. 

"  Pero  Gutierrez— Pedro  de  Munos — Luis — whatever  thou 
art  termed,"  said  Columbus,  his  fine  masculine  voice  trembling 
with  eagerness — "  come  hither,  son ;  tell  me  if  thine  eyes  ac- 
cord with  mine.  Look  in  this  direction — here,  more  on  the 
vessel's  beam  ;  seest  thou  aught  uncommon  ?" 

u  I  saw  a  light,  Senor ;  one  that  resembled  a  candle,  being 
neither  larger  nor  more  brilliant ;  and  to  me  it  appeared  to 
move,  as  if  carried  in  the  hand,  or  tossed  by  waves." 

"  Thy  eyes  did  not  deceive  thee  ;  thou  seest  it  doth  not  come 
of  either  of  our  consorts,  both  of  which  arc  here  on  the  bow." 

"  What  do  you,  then,  take  this  light  to  signify,  Don  Chris- 
topher?" 


MERCEDES      OF     CASTILE.  367 

"  Land !  It  is  either  on  the  land  itself,  rendered  small  by 
distance,  or  it  cometh  of  some  vessel  that  is  a  stranger  to  uo, 
and  which  belongeth  to  the  Indies.  There  is  Rodrigo  Sanchez 
of  Segovia,  the  comptroller  of  the  fleet,  beneath  us ;  descend, 
and  bid  him  come  hither." 

Luis  did  as  required,  and  presently  the  comptroller  was  also 
at  the  admiral's  side.  Half  an  hour  passed,  and  the  light  was 
not  seen  again ;  then  it  gleamed  upward  once  or  twice,  like  a 
torch,  and  finally  disappeared.  This  circumstance  was  soon 
known  to  all  in  the  ship,  though  few  attached  the  same  impor- 
tance to  it  as  Columbus  himself. 

"This  is  land,"  quietly  observed  the  admiral,  to  those  near 
his  person :  u  ere  many  hours  we  may  expect  to  behold  it. 
Now  ye  may  pour  out  your  souls  in  gratitude  and  confidence, 
for  in  such  a  sign  there  can  be  no  deception.  No  phenomenon 
of  the  ocean  resembleth  that  light ;  and  my  reckoning  placeth 
us  in  a  quarter  of  the  world  where  land  must  exist,  else  is  the 
earth  no  sphere." 

Notwithstanding  this  great  confidence  on  the  part  of  the  ad- 
miral, most  of  those  in  the  ship  did  not  yet  feel  the  same  cer- 
tainty in  the  result,  although  all  felt  the  strongest  hopes  of  fall- 
ing in  with  land  next  day.  Columbus  saying  no  more  on  the 
subject,  the  former  silence  was  soon  resumed,  and,  in  a  few 
minutes,  every  eye  was  again  turned  toward  the  west,  in  anxious 
watchfulness.  In  this  manner  the  time  passed  away,  the  ships 
driving  ahead  with  a  speed  much  exceeding  that  of  their  ordi- 
nary rate  of  sailing,  until  the  night  had  turned,  when  its  dark- 
ness was  suddenly  illuminated  by  a  blaze  of  light,  and  the  re- 
port of  a  gun  from  the  Pinta  came  struggling  up  against  the 
fresh  breeze  of  the  trades. 

"There  speaketh  Martin  Alonzo  !"  exclaimed  the  admiral; 
"  and  we  may  be  certain  that  he  hath  not  given  the  signal  idly. 
Who  sitteth  on  the  top-gallant  yard,  there,  on  watch  for  won^ 
ders  ahead?" 

"  Senor  Don  Almirante,  it  is  I,"  answered  Sanchc.  "  I  have 
been  here  since  we  sang  the  vesper  hymn." 


368  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

"  Seest  tliou  aught  unusual,  westward  ?  Look  vigilantly,  for 
we  touch  on  mighty  things  I" 

"  Naught,  Seiior,  unless  it  be  that  the  Pinta  is  lessening  her 
canvas,  and  the  Nina  is  already  closing  with  our  fleet  consort — 
nay,  I  now  see  the  latter  shortening  sail  also  !" 

"  For  these  great  tidings,  all  honor  and  praise  be  to  God  ! 
These  are  proofs  that  no  false  cry  hath  this  time  misled  their 
judgments.  We  will  join  our  consorts,  good  Bartolemeo,  ere 
we  take  in  a  single  inch  of  canvas." 

Every  thing  was  now  in  motion  on  board  the  Santa  Maria, 
which  went  dashing  ahead  for  another  half  hour,  when  she  came 
up  with  the  two  other  caravels,  both  of  which  had  hauled  by 
the  wind,  under  short  canvas,  and  were  forging  slowly  through 
the  water,  on  different  tacks,  like  coursers  cooling  themselves 
after  having  terminated  a  severe  struggle  by  reaching  the  goal. 

"  Come  hither,  Luis,"  said  Columbus,  "  and  feast  thine  eyes 
with  a  sight  that  doth  not  often  meet  the  gaze  of  the  best  of 
Christians.' ' 

The  night  was  far  from  dark,  a  tropical  sky  glittering  with  a 
thousand  stars,  and  even  the  ocean  itself  appearing  to  emit  a 
sombre,  melancholy  light.  By  the  aid  of  such  assistants  it  was 
possible  to  see  several  miles,  and  more  especially  to  note  ob- 
jects on  the  margin  of  the  ocean.  When  the  young  man  cast 
his  eyes  to  leeward,  as  directed  by  Columbus,  he  very  plainly 
perceived  a  point  where  the  blue  of  the  sky  ceased,  and  a  dark 
mound  rose  from  the  water,  stretching  for  a  few  leagues  south- 
ward, and  then  terminated,  as  it  had  commenced,  by  a  union 
between  the  watery  margin  of  the  ocean  and  the  void  of  heaven. 
The  intermediate  space  had  the  defined  outline,  the  density, 
and  the  hue  of  land,  as  seen  at  midnight. 

"Behold  the  Indies  !"  said  Columbus  ;  "  the  mighty  problem 
is  solved !  This  is  doubtless  an  island,  but  a  continent  is  near. 
Laud  be  to  God  I" 


MEKCEDES     OF     CASTILE.  369 


CHAPTER   XXII. 

14  There  is  a  Power,  whose  care 

Teaches  thy  way  along  that  pathless  coast— 
The  desert  and  illimitable  air — 
Lone  wandering,  but  not  lost."1 

Bryant. 

The  two  or  three  hours  that  succeeded,  were  hours  of  an  ex- 
traordinary and  intense  interest.  The  three  vessels  stood 
hovering  off  the  dusky  shore,  barely  keeping  at  a  safe  distance, 
stripped  of  most  of  their  canvas,  resembling  craft  that  cruised 
leisurely  at  a  given  point,  indifferent  to  haste  or  speed.  As 
they  occasionally  and  slowly  passed  each  other,  words  of  heart- 
felt congratulation  were  exchanged  ;  but  no  noisy  or  intempe- 
rate exultation  was  heard  on  that  all-important  night.  The 
sensations  excited  in  the  adventurers,  by  their  success,  were  too 
deep  and  solemn  for  any  such  vulgar  exhibition  of  joy ;  and 
perhaps  there  was  not  one  among  them  all  who  did  not,  at  that 
moment,  inwardly  confess  his  profound  submission  to,  and 
absolute  dependence  on  a  Divine  Providence. 

Columbus  was  silent.  Emotions  like  his  seldom  find  vent  in 
words ;  but  his  heart  was  overflowing  with  gratitude  and  love. 
He  believed  himself  to  be  in  the  further  east,  and  to  have 
reached  that  part  of  the  world  by  sailing  west ;  and  it  is  natural 
to  suppose  that  he  expected  the  curtain  of  day  would  rise  on 
t?ome  of  those  scenes  of  oriental  magnificence  which  had  been 
so  eloquently  described  by  the  Polos  and  other  travellers  in 
those  remote  and  little-known  regions.  That  this  or  other 
islands  wTere  inhabited,  the  little  he  had  seen  sufficiently  proved  ; 
but,  as  yet,  all  the  rest  was  conjecture  of  the  wildest  and  most 
uncertain  character.     The  fragrance  of  the  land,  however,  was 


370  MERCEDES      OF     CASTIL2. 

very  perceptible  in  the  vessels,  thus  affording  an  opportunity  to 
two  of  the  senses  to  unite  in  establishing  their  success. 

At  length  the  long  wished-for  day  approached,  and  the  east- 
ern sky  began  to  assume  the  tints  that  precede  the  appearance 
of  the  sun.  As  the  light  diffused  itself  athwart  the  dark  blue 
ocean,  and  reached  the  island,  the  outlines  of  the  latter  became 
more  and  more  distinct;  then  objects  became  visible  on  its 
surface,  trees,  glades,  rocks,  and  irregularities,  starting  out  of 
the  gloom,  until  the  whole  picture  was  drawn  in  the  gray, 
solemn  colors  of  morning.  Presently  the  direct  rays  of  the  sun 
touched  it,  gilding  its  prominent  points,  and  throwing  others 
into  shadow.  It  then  became  apparent  that  the  discovery  was 
that  of  an  island  of  no  great  extent,  well  wooded,  and  of  a  ver- 
dant and  pleasant  aspect.  The  land  was  low,  but  possessed  an 
outline  sufficiently  graceful  to  cause  it  to  seem  a  paradise  in  the 
eyes  of  men  who  had  seriously  doubted  whether  they  were 
ever  to  look  on  solid  ground  again.  The  view  of  his  mother 
earth  is  always  pleasant  to  the  mariner  who  has  long  gazed  on 
nothing  but  water  and  sky ;  but  thrice  beautiful  did  it  now 
seem  to  men  who  not  only  saw  in  it  their  despair  cured,  but 
their  most  brilliant  hopes  revived.  From  the  position  of  the 
land  near  him,  Columbus  did  not  doubt  that  he  had  passed 
another  island,  on  which  the  light  had  been  seen,  and,  from  his 
known  course,  this  conjecture  has  since  been  rendered  almost 
certain. 

The  sun  had  scarcely  risen,  when  living  beings  were  seen 
rushing  out  of  the  woods,  to  gaze  in  astonishment  at  the  sudden 
appearance  of  machines,  that  were  at  first  mistaken  by  the  un- 
tutored islanders,  for  messengers  from  heaven.  Shortly  after, 
Columbus  anchored  his  little  fleet,  and  landed  to  take  possession 
in  the  name  of  the  two  sovereigns. 

As  much  state  was  observed  on  this  occasion  as  the  limited 
means  of  the  adventurers  would  allow.  Each  vessel  sent  a 
boat,  with  her  commander.  The  admiral,  attired  in  scarlet, 
and  carrying  the  royal  standard,  proceeded  in  advance,  while 
Martin  Alonzo,  and  Vicente  Yanez  Pinzon,  followed,  holding 


MERCEDES      OF     CASTILE.  37l 

banners  bearing  crosses,  the  symbol  of  the  expedition,  with  let 
ters  representing  the  initials  of  the  two  sovereigns,  or  F.  and  Y. , 
for  Fernando  and  Ysabel. 

The  forms  usual  to  such  occasions  were  observed  on  reach- 
ing the  shore.  Columbus  took  possession,  rendered  thanks  to 
God  for  the  success  of  the  expedition,  and  then  began  to  look 
about  him  in  order  to  form  some  estimate  of  the  value  of  his 
discovery.* 

No  sooner  were  the  ceremonies  observed,  than  the  people 
crowded  round  the  admiral,  and  began  to  pour  out  their  con- 
gratulations for  his  success,  with  their  contrition  for  their  own 
distrust  and  disaffection.  The  scene  has  often  been  described 
as  a  proof  of  the  waywardness  and  inconstancy  of  human  judg- 
ments ;  the  being  who  had  so  lately  been  scowled  on  as  a  reck- 
less and  selfish  adventurer,  being  now  regarded  as  little  less  than 
a  God.  The  admiral  was  no  more  elated  by  this  adulation, 
than  he  had  been  intimidated  by  the  previous  dissatisfaction, 
maintaining  his  calmness  of  exterior  and  gravity  of  demeanor, 
with  those  who  pressed  around  him,  though  a  close  observer 
might  have  detected  the  gleaming  of  triumph  in  his  eye,  and 
the  glow  of  inward  rapture  on  his  cheek. 

"  These  honest  people  are  as  inconstant  in  their  apprehen- 
sions, as  they  are  extreme  in  their  rejoicings,"  said  Columbus 
to  Luis,  wheil  liberated  a  little  from  the  throng  ;   "  yesterday 

*  It  is  a  singular  fact  that  the  position  and  name  of  the  precise  island  that  was  first 
fallen  in  with,  on  this  celebrated  voyage,  remain  to  this  day,  if  not  a  matter  of  doubt, 
at  least  a  matter  of  discussion.  By  most  persons,  some  of  the  best  authorities  in- 
cluded, it  is  believed  that  the  adventurers  made  Cat  Island,  as  the  place  is  now  called, 
though  the  admiral  gave  it  the  appellation  of  San  Salvador ;  while  others  contend  for 
what  is  now  termed  Turk's  Island.  The  reason  given  for  the  latter  opinion  is  the 
position  of  the  island,  and  the  course  subsequently  steered  in  order  to  reach  Cuba, 
Munoz  is  of  opinion  that  it  was  Watling's  Island,  which  lies  due  east  of  Cat  Island,  at 
the  distance  of  a  degree  of  longitude,  or  a  few  hours'  run.  As  respects  Turk's  Island, 
the  facts  do  not  sustain  the  theory.  The  course  steered,  after  quitting  the  island,  was 
not  west,  but  south-west ;  and  we  find  Columbus  anxious  to  get  south  to  reach  the 
island  of  Cuba,  which  was  described  to  him  by  the  natives,  and  which  he  believed  to 
be  Cipango.  No  reason  is  given  by  Munoz  for  his  opinion ;  but  Watling's  Island  does 
not  answer  the  description  of  the  great  navigator,  while  it  is  so  placed  as  to  have  lain 
quite  near  his  course,  and  was  doubtless  passed  unseen  in  the  darkness.  It  is  thought 
the  light  so  often  observed  by  Columbus  was  on  this  island. 


372  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

they  would  have  cast  me  into  the  sea,  and  to-day  they  are 
much  disposed  to  forget  God,  himself,  in  his  unworthy  crea- 
ture. Dost  not  see,  that  the  men  who  gave  us  most  con- 
cern, on  account  of  their  discontent,  are  now  the  loudest  in 
their  applause  ?" 

"  This  is  but  nature,  Senor;  fear  flying  from  panic  to  exul- 
tation. These  "knaves  fancy  they  are  praising  you,  when  they 
are,  in  truth,  rejoicing  in  their  own  escape  from  some  unknown 
but  dreaded  evil.  Our  friends  Sancho  and  Pepe  seem  not  to 
be  thus  overwhelmed,  for  while  the  last  is  gathering  flowers 
from  this  shore  of  India,  the  first  seems  to  be  looking  about  him 
with  commendable  coolness,  as  if  he  might  be  calculating  the 
latitude  and  longitude  of  the  Great  Khan's  doblas." 

Columbus  smiled,  and,  accompanied  by  Luis,  he  drew  nearer 
to  the  two  men  mentioned,  who  were  a  little  apart  from  the 
rest  of  the  group.  Sancho  was  standing  with  his  hands  thrust 
into  the  bosom  of  his  doublet,  regarding  the  scene  with  the 
coolness  of  a  philosopher,  and  toward  him  the  admiral  first 
directed  his  steps. 

"How  is  this,  Sancho  of  the  ship-yard-gate V9  said  the  great 
navigator;  "  thou  lookest  on  this  glorious  scene  as  coolly  as  thou 
wouldst  regard  a  street  in  Moguer,  or  a  field  in  Andalusia  ?" 

"  Senor  Don  Almirante,  the  same  hand  made  both.  This  is 
not  the  first  island  on  which  I  have  landed  ;  nor  are  yonder 
naked  savages  the  first  men  I  have  seen  who  were  not  dressed 
in  scarlet  doublets.' ' 

"But  hast  thou  no  feeling  for  success — no  gratitude  to  God  foi 
this  vast  discovery  ?  Eeflect,  my  friend,  we  are  on  the  confines  of 
Asia^  and  yet  have  we  come  here  by  holding  a  western  course." 

"  That  the  last  is  true,  Seiior,  I  will  swear  myself,  having 
held  the  tiller  in  mine  own  hands  no  small  part  of  the  way.  Do 
you  think,  Senor  Don  Almirante,  that  we  have  come  far  enough 
in  this  direction  to  have  got  to  the  back  side  of  the  earth,  or  to 
stand,  as  it  might  be,  under  the  very  feet  of  Spain  ?" 

"By  no  means.  The  realms  of  the  Great  Khan  will  scarcely 
occupy  the  position  you  mean." 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  *       373 

"  Then,  Seiior,  what  will  there  be  to  prevent  the  doblas  of 
that  country  from  falling  off  into  the  air,  leaving  us  our  journey 
for  our  pains  ?" 

"  The  same  power  that  will  prevent  our  caravels  from  drop- 
ping out  of  the  sea,  and  the  water  itself  from  following.  These 
things  depend  on  natural  laws,  my  friend,  and  nature  is  a  legis- 
lator that  will  be  respected." 

"  It  is  all  Moorish  to  me,"  returned  Sancho,  rubbing  his  eye- 
brows. "Here  we  are,  of  a  verity,  if  not  actually  beneath  the 
feet  of  Spain,  standing,  as  it  might  be,  on  the  side  of  the 
house  ;  and  yet  I  find  no  more  difficulty  in  keeping  on  an  even 
keel,  than  I  did  in  Moguer — by  Santa  Clara !  less,  in  some 
particulars,  good  solid  Xeres  wine  being  far  less  plenty  here 
than  there." 

"  Thou  art  no  Moor,  Sancho,  although  thy  father's  name  be 
a  secret.  And  thou,  Pepe,  what  dost  thou  find  in  those  flowers 
to  draw  thy  attention  so  early  from  all  these  wonders  ?" 

"  Seiior,  I  gather  them  for  Monica.  A  female  hath  a  more 
delicate  feeling  than  a  man,  and  she  will  be  glad  to  see  with 
what  sort  of  ornaments  God  hath  adorned  the  Indies." 

u  Dost  thou  fancy,  Pepe,  that  thy  love  can  keep  those  flowers 
in  bloom,  until  the  good  caravel  shall  recross  the  Atlantic  ?" 
demanded  Luis,  laughing. 

"  Who  knoweth,  Senor  Gutierrez  ?  A  warm  heart  maketh  a 
thriving  nursery.  You  would  do  well,  too,  if  you  prefer  any 
Castilian  lady  to  all  others,  to  bethink  you  of  her  beauty,  and 
gather  some  of  these  rare  plants  to  deck  her  hair." 

Columbus  now  turned  away,  the  natives  seeming  disposed  to 
approach  the  strangers,  while  Luis  remained  near  the  young 
sailor,  who  still  continued  to  collect  the  plants  of  the  tropics. 
In  a  minute  our  hero  was  similarly  employed ;  and  long  ere  the 
admiral  and  the  wondering  islanders  had  commenced  their  first 
parley,  he  had  arranged  a  gorgeous  bouquet,  which  he  already 
fancied  in  the  glossy  dark  hair  of  Mercedes. 

The  events  of  a  public  nature  that  followed,  are  too  familiar 
to  every  intelligent  reader  to  need  repetition  here.     After  pass- 


374  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

mg  a  short  time  at  San  Salvador,  Columbus  proceeded  to  other 
islands,  led  on  by  curiosity,  and  guided  by  real  or  fancied  re- 
ports of  the  natives,  until  the  28th,  when  he  reached  that  of 
Cuba.  Here  he  imagined,  for  a  time,  that  he  had  found  the 
continent,  and  he  continued  coasting  it,  first  in  a  north-westerly, 
and  then  in  a  south-easterly  direction,  for  near  a  month.  Fa- 
miliarity with  the  novel  scenes  that  offered  soon  lessened  their 
influence,  and  the  inbred  feelings  of  avarice  and  ambition  began 
to  resume  their  sway  in  the  bosoms  of  several  of  those  who  had 
been  foremost  in  manifesting  their  submission  to  the  admiral, 
when  the  discovery  of  land  so  triumphantly  proved  the  justice 
of  his  theories,  and  the  weakness  of  their  own  misgivings. 
Among  others  who  thus  came  under  the  influence  of  their 
nature,  was  Martin  Alonzo  Pinzon,  who,  finding  himself  almost 
entirely  excluded  from  the  society  of  the  young  Count  of  Llera, 
in  whose  eyes  he  perceived  he  filled  but  a  very  subordinate 
place,  fell  back  on  his  own  local  importance,  and  began  to  envy 
Columbus  a  glory  that  he  now  fancied  he  might  have  secured  for 
himself.  Hot  words  had  passed  between  the  admiral  and 
himself,  on  more  than  one  occasion,  before  the  land  was  made, 
and  every  day  something  new  occurred  to  increase  the  coldness 
between  them. 

It  forms  no  part  of  this  work  to  dwell  on  the  events  that  fol- 
lowed, as  the  adventurers  proceeded  from  island  to  island,  port 
to  port,  and  river  to  river.  It  was  soon  apparent  that  very  im- 
portant discoveries  had  been  made  ;  and  the  adventurers  were 
led  on  day  by  day,  pursuing  their  investigations,  and  following 
directions  that  were  ill  comprehended,  but  which,  it  was  fan- 
cied, pointed  to  mines  of  gold.  Everywhere  they  met  with  a 
gorgeous  and  bountiful  nature,  scenery  that  fascinated  the  eye, 
and  a  climate  that  soothed  the  senses ;  but,  as  yet,  man  was 
found  living  in  the  simplest  condition  of  the  savage  state.  The 
delusion  of  being  in  the  Indies  was  general,  and  every  intima- 
tion that  fell  from  those  untutored  beings,  whether  by  word  or 
sign,  was  supposed  to  have  some  reference  to  the  riches  of  the 
east.     All  believed  that,  if  not  absolutely  within  the  kingdom 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  375 

of  the  Great  Khan,  they  were  at  least  on  its  confines.  Under 
such  circumstances,  when  each  day  actually  produced  new 
scenes,  promising  still  greater  novelties,  few  bethought  them  of 
Spain,  unless  it  were  in  connection  with  the  glory  of  returning 
to  her,  successful  and  triumphant.  Even  Luis  dwelt  less  in- 
tently in  his  thoughts  on  Mercedes,  suffering  her  image,  beau- 
tiful as  it  was,  to  be  momentarily  supplanted  by  the  unusual 
spectacles  that  arose  before  his  physical  sight  in  such  constant 
and  unwearied  succession.  Little  substantial,  beyond  the  fer- 
tile soil  and  genial  climate,  offered,  it  is  true,  in  the  way  of 
realizing  all  the  bright  expectations  of  the  adventurers  in  con- 
nection with  pecuniary  advantages;  but  each  moment  was  fraught 
with  hope,  and  no  one  knew  what  a  day  would  bring  forth. 

Two  agents  were  at  length  sent  into  the  interior  to  make 
discoveries,  and  Columbus  profited  by  the  occasion  to  careen 
his  vessels.  About  the  time  this  mission  was  expected  to 
return,  Luis  sallied  forth  with  a  party  of  armed  men  to  meet 
it,  Sancho  making  one  of  his  escort.  The  ambassadors  were 
met  on  their  way  back  at  a  short  day's  march  from  the  vessels, 
accompanied  by  a  few  of  the  natives,  who  were  following  with 
intense  curiosity,  expecting  at  each  moment  to  see  their  un- 
known visitors  take  their  flight  toward  heaven.  A  short  halt 
was  made  for  the  purpose  of  refreshing  themselves,  after  the 
two  parties  had  joined  ;  and  Sancho,  as  reckless  of  danger  on 
the  land  as  on  the  ocean,  stalked  into  a  village  that  lay  near  the 
halting  place.  Here  he  endeavored  to  make  himself  as  agree- 
able to  the  inhabitants  as  one  of  his  appearance  very  well 
could,  by  means  of  signs.  Sancho  figured  in  this  little  hamlet 
under  some  such  advantages  as  those  that  are  enjoyed  in  the 
country  by  a  great  man  from  town ;  the  spectators  not  being, 
as  yet,  sufficiently  sophisticated  to  distinguish  between  the  cut 
of  a  doublet  and  the  manner  of  wearing  it,  as  between  a  clown 
and  a  noble.  He  had  not  been  many  minutes  playing  the 
grandee  among  these  simple  beings,  when  they  seemed  desirous 
of  offering  to  him  some  mark  of  particular  distinction.  Pres- 
ently, a  man  appeared,  holding  certain  dark-looking  and  dried 


376  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE, 

leaves,  which  he  held  out  to  the  hero  of  the  moment  in  a  defer- 
ential manner,  as  a  Turk  would  offer  his  dried  sweet-meats,  or 
an  American  his  cake.  Sancho  was  about  to  accept  the  pres- 
ent, though  he  would  greatly  have  preferred  a  dobla,  of  which 
he  had  not  seen  any  since  the  last  received  from  the  admiral, 
when  a  forward  movement  was  made  by  most  of  the  Cubans, 
who  humbly,  and  with  emphasis,  uttered  the  word  "  tobacco" 
— "  tobacco."  On  this  hint,  the  person  who  held  forth  the 
offering  drew  back,  repeated  the  same  word  in  an  apologizing 
manner,  and  set  about  making  what,  it  was  now  plain$  was 
termed  a  "  tobacco,"  in  the  language  of  that  country.  This 
was  soon  effected,  by  rolling  up  the  leaves  in  the  form  of  a  rude 
segar,  when  a  "  tobacco,"  duly  manufactured,  was  offered  to 
the  seaman.  Sancho  took  the  present,  nodded  his  head  con- 
descendingly, repeated  the  words  himself,  in  the  best  manner 
he  could,  and  thrust  the  "  tobacco"  into  his  pocket.  This 
movement  evidently  excited  some  surprise  among  the  specta- 
tors, but,  after  a  little  consultation,  one  of  them  lighted  an  end 
of  a  roll,  applied  the  other  to  his  mouth,  and  began  to  puff 
forth  volumes  of  a  fragrant  light  smoke,  not  only  to  his  own 
infinite  satisfaction,  but  seemingly  to  that  of  all  around  him. 
Sancho  attempted  an  imitation,  which  resulted,  as  is  common 
with  the  tyro  in  this  accomplishment,  in  his  reeling  back  to  his 
party  with  the  pallid  countenance  of  an  opium-chewer,  and  a 
nausea  that  he  had  not  experienced  since  the  day  he  first  ven- 
tured beyond  the  bar  of  Saltes,  to  issue  on  the  troubled  surface 
of  the  Atlantic. 

This  little  scene  might  be  termed  the  introduction  of  the 
well-known  American  weed  into  civilized  society,  the  misap- 
prehension of  the  Spaniards,  touching  the  appellation,  trans- 
ferring the  name  of  the  roll  to  the  plant  itself.  Thus  did  Sancho, 
of  the  ship-yard-gate,  become  the  first  Christian  tobacco  smoker, 
an  accomplishment  in  which  he  was  so  soon  afterward  rivalled 
by  some  of  the  greatest  men  of  his  age,  and  which  has  extended 
down  to  our  own  times. 

On  the  return  of  his  agents,  Columbus  again  sailed,  pushing 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTIT.E.  377 

his  way  along  the  north  shore  of  Cuba.  While  struggling 
against  the  trades,  with  a  view  to  get  to  the  eastward,  he  found 
the  wind  too  fresh,  and  determined  to  hear  up  for  a  favorite 
haven  in  the  island  of  Cuba,  that  he  had  named  Puerto  del 
Principe.  With  this  view  a  signal  was  made  to  call  the  Pinta 
down,  that  vessel  being  far  to  windward ;  and,  as  night  was 
near,  lights  were  carried  in  order  to  enable  Martin  Alonzo  to 
close  with  his  commander.  The  next  morning,  at  the  dawn  of 
day,  when  Columbus  came  on  deck,  he  cast  a  glance  around 
him,  and  beheld  the  Nina,  hove-to  under  his  lee,  but  no  signs 
of  the  other  caravel. 

''Have  none  seen  the  Pinta?"  demanded  the  admiral,  hastily, 
of  Sancho,  who  stood  at  the  helm. 

"  Senor,  /  did,  as  long  as  eyes  could  see  a  vessel  that  was 
striving  to  get  out  of  view.  Master  Martin  Alonzo  hath  dis- 
appeared in  the  eastern  board,  while  we  have  been  lying-to, 
here,  in  waiting  for  him  to  come  down." 

Columbus  now  perceived  that  he  was  deserted  by  the  very 
man  who  had  once  shown  so  much  zeal  in  his  behalf,  and  who 
had  given,  in  the  act,  new  proof  of  the  manner  in  which  friend- 
ship vanishes  before  self-interest  and  cupidity.  There  had 
been  among  the  adventurers  many  reports  of  the  existence  of 
gold  mines,  obtained  from  the  descriptions  of  the  natives  ;  and 
the  admiral  made  no  doubt  that  his  insubordinate  follower  had 
profited  by  the  superior  sailing  of  his  caravel,  to  keep  the  wind, 
in  the  expectation  to  be  the  first  to  reach  the  Eldorado  of  their 
wishes.  As  the  weather  still  continued  unfavorable,  however, 
the  Santa  Maria  and  the  Nina  returned  to  port,  where  they  waited 
for  a  change.  This  separation  occurred  on  the  21st  of  Novem- 
ber, at  which  moment  the  expedition  had  not  advanced  beyond 
the  north  coast  of  Cuba. 

From  this  time  until  the  sixth  of  the  following  month,  Co- 
lumbus continued  his  examination  of  this  noble  island,  when 
he  crossed  what  has  since  been  termed  the  "  windward  pas- 
sage," and  first  touched  on  the  shores  of  Hayti.  All  this  time, 
there  had  been  as  much  communication  as  circumstances  would 


378  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

allow,  with  tlie  aborigines,  the  Spaniards  making  friends  wher- 
ever they  went,  as  a  consequence  of  the  humane  and  prudent 
measures  of  the  admiral.  It  is  true  that  violence  had  been 
done,  in  a  few  instances,  by  seizing  half  a  dozen  individuals  in 
order  to  carry  them  to  Spain,  as  offerings  to  Dona  Isabella ; 
but  this  act  was  easily  reconcilable  to  usage  in  that  age,  equally 
on  account  of  the  deference  that  was  paid  to  the  kingly  author- 
ity, and  on  the  ground  that  the  seizures  were  for  the  good  of 
the  captives'  souls. 

The  adventurers  were  more  delighted  with  the  bold,  and  yet 
winning  aspect  of  Hayti,  than  they  had  been  with  even  the 
adjacent  island  of  Cuba.  The  inhabitants  were  found  to  be 
handsomer  and  more  civilized  than  any  they  had  yet  seen, 
while  they  retained  the  gentleness  and  docility  that  had  proved 
so  pleasing  to  the  admiral.  Gold,  also,  was  seen  among  them 
in  considerable  quantities  ;  and  the  Spaniards  set  on  foot  a 
trade  of  some  extent,  in  which  the  usual  incentive  of  civilized 
man  was  the  great  aim  of  one  side,  and  hawk's-bells  appear  to 
have  been  the  principal  desideratum  with  the  other. 

In  this  manner,  and  in  making  hazardous  advances  along  the 
coast,  the  admiral  was  occupied  until  the  20th  of  the  month, 
when  he  reached  a  point  that  was  said  to  be  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  residence  of  the  Great  Cacique  of  all  that  portion  of  the 
island.  This  prince,  whose  name,  as  spelt  by  the  Spaniards, 
was  Guacanagari,  had  many  tributary  caciques,  and  was  under- 
stood, from  the  half-intelligible  descriptions  of  his  subjects,  to 
be  a  monarch  that  was  much  beloved.  On  the  2 2d,  while  still 
lying  in  the  Bay  of  Aciil,  where  the  vessels  had  anchored  two 
days  previously,  a  large  canoe  was  seen  entering  the  haven.  It 
was  shortly  after  announced  to  the  admiral  that  this  boat  con- 
tained an  ambassador  from  the  Great  Cacique,  who  brought 
presents  from  his  master,  with  a  request  that  the  vessels  would 
move  a  league  or  two  further  east,  and  anchor  off  the  town  in- 
habited by  the  prince  himself.  The  wind  preventing  an  imme- 
diate compliance,  a  messenger  was  despatched  with  a  suitable 
answer,  and  the  ambassador  returned.     Fatigued  with  idleness, 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  .°i7il 

anxious  to  see  more  of  the  interior,  and  impelled  by  a  constitu- 
tional love  of  adventure,  Luis,  who  had  struck  up  a  hasty  friend- 
ship with  a  young  man  called  Mattinao,  who  attended  the  am- 
bassador, asked  permission  to  accompany  him,  taking  his  pas- 
sage in  the  canoe.  Columbus  gave  his  consent  to  this  proposal 
with  a  good  deal  of  reluctance,  the  rank  and  importance  of  our 
hero  inducing  him  to  avoid  the  consequences  of  any  treachery 
or  accident.  The  importunity  of  Luis  finally  prevailed,  however, 
and  he  departed  with  many  injunctions  to  be  discreet,  being 
frequently  admonished  of  the  censure  that  would  await  the  ad- 
miral in  the  event  of  any  thing  serious  occurring.  As  a  precau- 
tion, too,  Sancho  Mundo  was  directed  to  accompany  the  young 
man,  in  this  chivalrous  adventure,  in  the  capacity  of  an  esquire. 

No  weapon  more  formidable  than  a  blunt  arrow  having  yet 
been  seen  in  the  hands  of  the  natives,  the  young  Count  de 
Llera  declined  taking  his  mail,  going  armed  only  with  a  trusty 
sword,  the  temper  of  which  had  been  tried  on  many  a  Moorish 
corslet  and  helm,  in  his  foot  encounters,  and  protected  by  a 
light  buckler.  An  arquebuse  had  been  put  into  his  hand,  but 
he  refused  it,  as  a  weapon  unsuited  to  knightly  hands,  and  as 
betraying  a  distrust  that  was  not  merited  by  the  previous 
conduct  of  the  natives.  Sancho,  however,  was  less  scrupulous, 
and  accepted  the  weapon.  In  order,  moreover,  to  divert  the 
attention  of  his  followers  from  a  concession  that  the  admiral 
felt  to  be  a  departure  from  his  own  rigid  laws,  Luis  and  his 
companions  landed,  and  entered  the  canoe  at  a  point  concealed 
from  the  vessels,  in  order  that  their  absence  might  not  be 
known.  It  is  owing  to  these  circumstances,  as  well  as  to  the 
general  mystery  that  was  thrown  about  the  connection  of  the 
young  grandee  with  the  expedition,  that  the  occurrences  we  are 
about  to  relate  were  never  entered  by  the  admiral  in  his  journal, 
and  have  consequently  escaped  the  prying  eyes  of  the  various 
historians  who  have  subsequently  collected  so  much  from  that 
pregnant  document. 


380  MERCEDES     OF     CASTILE. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

M  Thou  seemest  to  fancy's  eye 

An  animated  blossom  born  in  air ; 
Which  breathes  and  bourgeons  in  the  golden  sky, 
And  sheds  its  odors  there. " 

SlJTERMEISTER. 

Notwithstanding  Ills  native  resolution,  and  an  indifference 
to  danger  that  amounted  to  recklessness,  Luis  did  not  find  him- 
self alone  with  the  Haytians  without,  at  least,  a  lively  con- 
sciousness of  the  novelty  of  his  situation.  Still,  nothing  oc- 
curred to  excite  uneasiness,  and  he  continued  his  imperfect 
communications  with  his  new  friends,  occasionally  throwing  in 
a  remark  to  Sancho,  in  Spanish,  who  merely  wanted  encourage- 
ment to  discourse  by  the  hour.  Instead  of  following  the  boat 
of  the  Santa  Maria,  on  board  which  the  ambassador  had  em- 
barked, the  canoe  pushed  on  several  leagues  further  east,  it 
being  understood  that  Luis  was  not  to  present  himself  in  the 
town  of  Guacanagari,  until  after  the  arrival  of  the  ships,  when 
he  was  to  rejoin  his  comrades  stealthily,  or  in  a  way  not  to  at- 
tract attention. 

Our  hero  would  not  have  been  a  true  lover,  had  he  remained 
indifferent  to  the  glories  of  the  natural  scenery  that  lay  spread 
before  his  eyes,  as  he  thus  coasted  the  shores  of  Espanola. 
The  boldness  of  the  landscape,  as  in  the  Mediterranean,  was  re- 
lieved by  the  softness  of  a  low  latitude,  which  throws  some 
such  witchery  around  rocks  and  promontories,  as  a  sunny  smile 
lends  to  female  beauty.  More  than  once  did  he  burst  out  into 
exclamations  of  delight,  and  as  often  did  Sancho  respond  in  the 
same  temper,  if  not  exactly  in  the  same  language ;   the  latter 


MERCEDES      OF     CASTILE  381 

conceiving  it  to  be  a  sort  of  duty  to  echo  all  that  the  young 
noble  said,  iu  the  way  of  poetry. 

"  I  take  it,  Seiior  Conde,"  observed  the  seaman,  when  they 
had  reached  a  spot  several  leagues  beyond  that  where  the  launch 
of  the  ship  had  put  to  shore;  "I  take  it  for  granted,  Seiior 
Conde,  that  your  Excellency  knoweth  whither  these  naked  gen- 
try are  paddling,  all  this  time.  They  seem  in  a  hurry,  and  have 
a  port  in  their  minds,  if  it  be  not  in  view." 

"  Art  thou  uneasy,  friend  Sancho,  that  thou  puttest  thy  ques- 
tion thus  earnestly  2" 

"  If  I  am,  Don  Luis,  it  is  altogether  on  account  of  the  family 
of  Bobadilla,  which  would  lose  its  head,  did  any  mishap  befall 
your  Excellency.  What  is  it  to  Sancho,  of  the  ship-yard- gate, 
whether  he  is  married  to  some  princess  in  Cipango,  and  gets  to 
be  adopted  by  the  Great  Khan,  or  whether  he  is  an  indifferent 
mariner  out  of  Moguer  ?  It  is  very  much  as  if  one  should  offer 
him  the  choice  between  wearing  a  doublet  and  eating  garlic, 
and  going  naked  on  sweet  fruits  and  a  full  stomach.  I  take  it, 
Seiior,  your  Excellency  would  not  willingly  exchange  the  castle 
of  Llera  for  the  palace  of  this  Great  Cacique  ?" 

"  Thou  art  right,  Sancho ;  even  rank  must  depend  on  the 
state  of  society  in  which  we  live.  A  Castilian  noble  cannot 
envy  a  Haytian  sovereign." 

"More  especially,  since  my  lord,  the  Seiior  Don  Almirante, 
hath  publicly  proclaimed  that  our  gracious  lady,  the  Doiia 
Isabella,  is  henceforth  and  forever  to  be  queen  over  him,"  re- 
turned Sancho,  with  a  knowing  glance  of  the  eye.  "  Little  do 
these  worthy  people  understand  the  honor  that  is  in  store  for 
them,  and  least  of  all,  his  Highness,  King  Guacanagari!" 

"  Hush,  Sancho,  and  keep  thy  unpleasant  intimations  in  thine 
own  breast.  Our  friends  turn  the  head  of  the  canoe  toward 
yonder  river's  mouth,  and  seem  bent  on  landing." 

By  this  time,  indeed,  the  natives  had  coasted  as  far  as  they 
intended,  and  were  turning  in  toward  the  entrance  of  a  small 
stream,  which,  taking  its  rise  among  the  noble  mountains  that 
were  grouped  inland,  found  its  way  through  a  smiling  valley  to 


382  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

the  ocean.  This  stream  was  neither  broad  nor  deep,  but  it 
contained  far  more  than  water  sufficient  for  any  craft  used  by 
the  natives.  Its  banks  were  fringed  with  bushes ;  and  as  they 
glided  up  it,  Luis  saw  fifty  sites  where  he  thought  he  could  be 
content  to  pass  his  life,  provided,  always,  that  it  might  possess 
the  advantage  of  Mercedes'  presence.  It  is  scarcely  necessary 
to  add,  too,  that  in  all  these  scenes  he  fancied  his  mistress 
attired  in  the  velvets  and  laces  that  were  then  so  much  used 
by  high-born  dames,  and  that  he  saw  her  natural  grace,  em- 
bellished by  the  courtly  ease  and  polished  accessories  of  one 
who  lived  daily,  if  not  hourly,  in  the  presence  of  her  royal 
mistress. 

As  the  canoe  shut  in  the  coast,  by  entering  between  the  two 
points  that  formed  the  river's  mouth,  Sancho  pointed  out  to  the 
young  noble  a  small  fleet  of  canoes,  that  was  coming  down  be- 
fore the  wind  from  the  eastward,  apparently  bound,  like  so 
many  more  they  had  seen  that  day,  to  the  Bay  of  Acul,  on  a 
visit  to  the  wonderful  strangers.  The  natives  in  the  canoe  also 
beheld  this  little  flotilla,  which  was  driving  before  the  wind 
under  cotton  sails,  and  by  their  smiles  and  signs  showed  that 
they  gave  it  the  same  destination.  About  this  time,  too,  or  just 
as  they  entered  the  mouth  of  the  stream,  Mattinao  drew  from 
under  a  light  cotton  robe,  that  he  occasionally  wore,  a  thin  cir- 
clet of  pure  gold,  which  he  placed  upon  his  head,  in  the  man- 
ner of  a  coronet.  This,  Luis  knew,  was  a  token  that  he  was  a 
cacique,  one  of  those  who  were  tributary  to  Guacanagari,  and 
he  arose  to  salute  him  at  this  evidence  of  his  rank,  an  act  that 
was  imitated  by  all  of  the  Haytiens  also.  From  this  assump- 
tion of  state,  Luis  rightly  imagined  that  Mattinao  had  now  en- 
tered within  the  limits  of  a  territory  that  acknowledged  his  will. 
From  the  moment  that  the  young  cacique  threw  aside  his  incog 
nito,  he  ceased  to  paddle,  but,  assuming  an  air  of  authority  and 
dignity,  he  attempted  to  converse  with  his  guest  in  the  best 
manner  their  imperfect  means  of  communication  would  allow. 
He  often  pronounced  the  word,  Ozema,  and  Luis  inferred  from 
the  manner  in  which  he  used  it,  that  it  was  the  name  of  a  fa- 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  383 

vorite  wife,  it  having  been  already  ascertained  by  the  Spaniards, 
or  at  least  it  was  thought  to  be  ascertained,  that  the  caciques 
indulged  in  polygamy,  while  they  rigidly  restricted  their  sub- 
jects to  one  wife. 

The  canoe  ascended  the  river  several  miles,  until  it  reached 
one  of  those  tropical  valleys  in  which  nature  seems  to  expend 
her  means  of  rendering  this  earth  inviting.  While  the  scenery 
had  much  of  the  freedom  of  a  wilderness,  the  presence  of  man 
for  centuries  had  deprived  it  of  all  its  ruder  and  more  savage 
features.  Like  those  who  tenanted  it,  the  spot  possessed  the 
perfection  of  native  grace,  unfettered  and  uninvaded  by  any  of 
the  more  elaborate  devices  of  human  expedients.  The  dwell- 
ings were  not  without  beauty,  though  simple  as  the  wants  of 
their  owners  ;  the  flowers  bloomed  in  midwinter,  and  the  gen- 
erous branches  still  groaned  with  the  weight  of  their  nutritious 
and  palatable  fruits. 

Mattinao  was  received  by  his  people  with  an  eager  curiosity, 
blended  with  profound  respect.  His  mild  subjects  crowded 
around  Luis  and  Sancho,  with  some  such  wonder  as  a  civilized 
man  would  gaze  at  one  of  the  prophets,  were  he  to  return  to 
earth  in  the  flesh.  They  had  heard  of  the  arrival  of  the  ships, 
but  they  did  not  the  less  regard  their  inmates  as  visitors  from 
heaven.  This,  probably,  was  not  the  opinion  of  the  more  ele- 
vated in  rank,  for,  even  in  the  savage  state,  the  vulgar  mind  is 
far  from  being  that  of  the  favored  few.  Whether  it  was  owing 
to  this  greater  facility  of  character,  and  to  habits  that  more 
easily  adapted  themselves  to  the  untutored  notions  of  the  In- 
dians, or  to  their  sense  of  propriety,  Sancho  soon  became  the 
favorite  with  the  multitude  ;  leaving  the  Count  of  Llera  more 
especially  to  the  care  of  Mattinao,  and  the  principal  men  of  his 
tribe.  Owing  to  this  circumstance,  the  two  Spaniards  were 
soon  separated,  Sancho  being  led  away  by  the  oi  polloi  to  a  sort 
of  square  in  the  centre  of  the  village,  leaving  Don  Luis  in  the 
habitation  of  the  cacique. 

No  sooner  did  Mattinao  find  himself  in  the  company  of  our 
hero,  and  that  of  two  of  his  confidential  chiefs,  than  the  name 


834  MERCEDES      OF     CASTILE. 

of  Ozema  was  repeated  eagerly  among  the  Indians.  A  rapid 
conversation  followed,  a  messenger  was  despatched,  Luis  knew 
not  whither,  and  then  the  chiefs  took  their  departure,  leaving 
the  young  Castilian  alone  with  the  cacique.  Laying  aside  his 
golden  band,  and  placing  a  cotton  robe  about  his  person,  which 
had  hitherto  been  nearly  naked,  Mattinao  made  a  sign  for  his 
companion  to  follow  him,  and  left  the  building.  Throwing  the 
buckler  over  his  shoulder,  and  adjusting  the  belt  of  his  sword  in 
a  way  that  the  weapon  should  not  incommode  him  in  walking, 
Luis  obeyed  with  as  much  confidence  as  he  would  have  followed 
a  friend  along  the  streets  of  Seville. 

Mattinao  led  the  way  through  a  wilderness  of  sweets,  where 
tropical  plants  luxuriated  beneath  the  branches  of  trees  loaded 
with  luscious  fruits,  holding  his  course  by  a  foot-path  which 
lay  on  the  banks  of  a  torrent  that  flowed  from  a  ravine,  and 
poured  its  waters  into  the  river  below.  The  distance  he  went 
might  have  been  half  a  mile.  Here  he  reached  a  cluster  of 
rustic  dwellings  that  occupied  a  lovely  terrace  on  a  hill-side, 
where  they  overlooked  the  larger  town  below  the  river,  and 
commanded  a  view  of  the  distant  ocean.  Luis  saw  at  a  glance 
that  this  sweet  retreat  was  devoted  to  the  uses  of  the  gentler 
sex,  and  he  doubted  not  that  it  formed  a  species  of  seraglio,  set 
apart  for  the  wives  of  the  young  cacique.  He  was  led  into  one 
of  the  principal  dwellings,  where  the  simple  but  grateful  refresh- 
ments used  by  the  natives,  were  again  offered  to  him. 

The  intercourse  of  a  month  had  not  sufficed  to  render  either 
party  very  familiar  with  the  language  of  the  other.  A  few  of 
the  commoner  words  of  the  Indians  had  been  caught  by  the 
Spaniards,  and  perhaps  Luis  was  one  of  the  most  ready  in  their 
use  ;  still,  it  is  highly  probable,  he  was  oftener  wrong  than 
riodit,  even  when  he  felt  the  most  confident  of  his  success. 
But  the  language  of  friendship  is  not  easily  mistaken,  and  our 
hero  had  not  entertained  a  feeling  of  distrust  from  the  time  he 
left  the  ships,  down  to  the  present  moment. 

Mattinao  had  despatched  a  messenger  to  an  adjacent  dwell- 
ing when  he  entered  that  in  which  Luis  was  now  entertained 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  385 

and  when  sufficient  time  had  been  given  for  the  last  to  refresh 
himself,  the  cacique  arose,  and  by  a  courteous  gesture,  such  as 
might  have  become  a  master  of  ceremonies  in  the  court  of 
Isabella,  he  again  invited  the  young  grandee  to  follow.  They 
took  their  way  along  the  terrace,  to  a  house  larger  than  com- 
mon, and  which  evidently  contained  several  subdivisions,  as 
they  entered  into  a  sort  of  anteroom.  Here  they  remained  but 
a  minute ;  the  cacique,  after  a  short  parley  with  a  female,  re- 
moving a  curtain  ingeniously  made  of  sea-weed,  and  leading 
the  way  to  an  inner  apartment.  It  had  but  a  single  occupant, 
whose  character  Luis  fancied  to  be  announced  in  the  use  of  the 
single  word  "  Ozema,"  that  the  cacique  uttered  in  a  low,  affec- 
tionate tone,  as  they  entered.  Luis  bowed  to  this  Indian 
beauty,  as  profoundly  as  he  could  have  made  his  reverence  to  a 
high-born  damsel  of  Spain ;  then,  recovering  himself,  he  fast- 
ened one  long,  steady  look  of  admiration  on  the  face  of  the 
curious  but  half-frightened  young  creature  who  stood  before 
him,  and  exclaimed,  in  such  tones  as  only  indicate  rapture,  ad- 
miration, and  astonishment  mingled — 

"Mercedes!" 

The  young  cacique  repeated  this  name  in  the  best  manner  he 
could,  evidently  mistaking  it  for  a  Spanish  term  to  express  ad- 
miration, or  satisfaction  ;  while  the  trembling  young  thing,  who 
was  the  subject  of  all  this  wonder,  shrunk  back  a  step,  blushed, 
laughed,  and  muttered  in  her  soft,  low,  musical  voice,  "  Mer- 
cedes," as  the  innocent  take  up  and  renew  any  source  of  their 
harmless  pleasures.  She  then  stood,  with  her  arms  folded 
meekly  on  her  bosom,  resembling  a  statue  of  wonder.  But  it 
may  be  necessary  to  explain  why,  at  a  moment  so  peculiar,  the 
thoughts  and  tongue  of  Luis  had  so  suddenly  resorted  to  his 
mistress.  In  order  to  do  this,  we  shall  first  attempt  a  short 
description  of  the  person  and  appearance  of  Ozema,  as  was,  in 
fact,  the  name  of  the  Indian  beauty. 

All  the  accounts  agree  in  describing  the  aborigines  of  the 
West  Indies  as  being  singularly  well  formed,  and  of  a  natural 
grace  in  their  movements,  that  extorted  a  common  admiration 


386  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

among  the  Spaniards.  Their  color  was  not  unpleasant,  and  the 
inhabitants  of  Hayti,  in  particular,  were  said  to  be  very  little 
darker  than  the  people  of  Spain.  Those  who  were  but  little 
exposed  to  the  bright  sun  of  that  climate,  and  who  dwelt  habit- 
ually beneath  the  shades  of  groves,  or  in  the  retirement  of  their 
dwellings,  like  persons  of  similar  habits  in  Europe,  might,  by 
comparison,  have  even  been  termed  fair.  Such  was  the  fact 
with  Ozema,  who,  instead  of  being  the  wife  of  the  young 
cacique,  was  his  only  sister.  According  to  the  laws  of  Hayti, 
the  authority  of  a  cacique  was  transmitted  through  females, 
and  a  son  of  Ozema  was  looked  forward  to,  as  the  heir  of  his 
uncle.  Owing  to  this  fact,  and  to  the  circumstance  that  the 
true  royal  line,  if  a  term  so  dignified  can  be  applied  to  a  state 
of  society  so  simple,  was  reduced  to  these  two  individuals, 
Ozema  had  been  more  than  usually  fostered  by  the  tribe,  leav- 
ing her  free  from  care,  and  as  little  exposed  to  hardships,  as  at 
all  comported  with  the  condition  of  her  people.  She  had 
reached  her  eighteenth  year,  without  having  experienced  any 
of  those  troubles  and  exposures  which  are  more  or  less  the  inev- 
itable companions  of  savage  life ;  though  it  was  remarked  by 
the  Spaniards,  that  all  the  Indians  they  had  yet  seen  seemed 
more  than  usually  free  from  evils  of  this  character.  They  owed 
this  exception  to  the  generous  quality  of  the  soil,  the  genial 
warmth  of  the  climate,  and  the  salubrity  of  the  air.  In  a  word, 
Ozema,  in  her  person,  possessed  just  those  advantages  that 
freedom  from  restraint,  native  graces,  and  wild  luxuriance, 
might  be  supposed  to  lend  the  female  form,  under  the  advan- 
tages of  a  mild  climate,  a  healthful  and  simple  diet,  and  perfect 
exemption  from  exposure,  care,  or  toil.  It  would  not  have  been 
difficult  to  fancy  Eve  such  a  creature,  when  she  first  appeared 
to  Adam,  fresh  from  the  hands  of  her  divine  Creator,  modest, 
artless,  timid,  and  perfect. 

The  Haytians  used  a  scanty  dress,  though  it  shocked  none 
of  their  opinions  to  go  forth  in  the  garb  of  nature.  Still,  few 
of  rank  were  seen  without  some  pretensions  to  attire,  which  was 
worn  rather  as  an  ornament,  or  a  mark  of  distinction,  than  as 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  387 

necessary  either  to  usage  or  comfort.  Ozema,  herself,  formed 
no  exception  to  the  general  rule.  A  cincture  of  Indian  cloth, 
woven  in  gay  colors,  circled  her  slender  waist,  and  fell  nearly  as 
low  as  her  knees  ;  a  robe  of  spotless  cotton,  inartificiaHy  made, 
but  white  as  the  driven  snow,  and  of  a  texture  so  fine  that  it 
might  haVe  shamed  many  of  the  manufactures  of  our  own  days, 
fell  like  a  scarf  across  a  shoulder,  and  was  loosely  united  at  the 
opposite  side,  dropping  in  folds  nearly  to  the  ground.  Sandals, 
of  great  ingenuity  and  beauty,  protected  the  soles  of  feet  that  a 
queen  might  have  envied ;  and  a  large  plate  of  pure  gold, 
rudely  wrought,  was  suspended  from  her  neck  by  a  string  of 
small,  but  gorgeous  shells.  Bracelets  of  the  latter  were  on  her 
pretty  wrists,  and  two  light  bands  of  gold  encircled  ankles  that 
were  as  faultless  as  those  of  the  Venus  of  Naples.  In  that  re- 
gion, the  fineness  of  the  hair  was  thought  the  test  of  birth,  with 
better  reason  than  many  imagine  the  feet  and  hands  to  be,  in 
civilized  life.  As  power  and  rank  had  passed  from  female  to 
female  in  her  family,  for  several  centuries,  the  hair  of  Ozema 
was  silken,  soft,  waving,  exuberant,  and  black  as  jet.  It  covered 
her  shoulders,  like  a  glorious  mantle,  and  fell  as  low  as  her 
simple  cincture.  So  light  and  silken  was  this  natural  veil,  that 
its  ends  waved  in  the  gentle  current  of  air  that  was  rather 
breathing  than  blowing  through  the  apartment. 

Although  this  extraordinary  creature  was  much  the  loveliest 
specimen  of  young-womanhood  that  Luis  had  seen  among  the 
wild  beauties  of  the  islands,  it  was  not  so  much  her  graceful 
and  well-rounded  form,  or  even  the  charms  of  face  and  expres- 
sion, that  surprised  him,  as  a  decided  and  accidental  resem- 
blance to  the  being  he  had  left  in  Spain,  and  who  had  so  long 
been  the  idol  of  his  heart.  This  resemblance  alone  had  caused 
him  to  utter  the  name  of  his  mistress,  in  the  manner  related. 
Could  the  two  have  been  placed  together,  it  would  have  been 
easy  to  detect  marked  points  of  difference  between  them,  with- 
out being  reduced  to  compare  the  intellectual  and  thoughtful 
expression  of  our  heroine's  countenance,  with  the  wondering, 
doubting,  half-startled   look  of  Ozema :   but  still  the  general 


388  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

likeness  was  so  strong,  that  no  person  who  was  familiar  with 
the  face  of  one,  could  fail  to  note  it  on  meeting  with  the 
other.  Side  by  side,  it  would  have  been  discovered  that  the 
face  of  Mercedes  had  the  advantage  in  finesse  and  delicacy ; 
that  her  features  and  brow  were  nobler ;  her  eye  more  illumi- 
nated by  the  intelligence  within  ;  her  smile  more  radiant  with 
thought  and  the  feelings  of  a  cultivated  woman;  her  blush 
more  sensitive,  betraying  most  of  the  consciousness  of  conven- 
tional habits ;  and  that  the  expression  generally  was  much  more 
highly  cultivated,  than  that  which  sprung  from  the  artless  im- 
pulses and  limited  ideas  of  the  young  Haytian.  Nevertheless, 
in  mere  beauty,  in  youth,  and  tint,  and  outline,  the  disparity 
was  scarcely  perceptible,  while  the  resemblance  was  striking ; 
and,  on  the  score  of  animation,  native  frankness,  ingenuousness, 
and  all  that  witchery  which  ardent  and  undisguised  feeling  lends 
to  woman,  many  might  have  preferred  the  confiding  abandon  of 
the  beautiful  young  Indian,  to  the  more  trained  and  dignified 
reserve  of  the  Castilian  heiress.  What  in  the  latter  was  earnest, 
high-souled,  native,  but  religious  enthusiasm,  in  the  other  was 
merely  the  outpourings  of  unguided  impulses,  which,  however 
feminine  in  their  origin,  were  but  little  regulated  in  their 
indulgence. 

"  Mercedes !"  exclaimed  our  hero,  when  this  vision  of  Indian 
loveliness  unexpectedly  broke  on  his  sight.  "  Mercedes  !"  re- 
peated Mattinao ;  "  Mercedes  !"  murmured  Ozema,  recoiling  a 
step,  blushing,  laughing,  and  then  resuming  her  innocent  confi- 
dence, as  she  several  times  uttered  the  same  word,  which  she 
also  mistook  for  an  expression  of  admiration,  in  her  own  low, 
melodious  voice. 

Conversation  being  out  of  the  question,  there  remained  noth- 
ing for  the  parties  but  to  express  their  feelings  by  signs  and  acts 
of  amity.  Luis  had  not  come  on  his  little  expedition  unprovided 
with  presents.  Anticipating  an  interview  with  the  wife  of  the 
cacique,  he  had  brought  up  from  the  village  below,  several 
articles  that  he  supposed  might  suit  her  untutored  fancy.  But 
the  moment  he  beheld  the  vision  that  actually  stood  before  him, 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  389 

they  all  seemed  unworthy  of  such  a  being.  In  one  of  his  onsets 
against  the  Moors,  he  had  brought  off  a  turban  of  rich  but  light 
cloth,  and  he  had  kept  it  as  a  trophy,  occasionally  wearing  it, 
in  his  visits  to  the  shore,  out  of  pure  caprice,  and  as  a  sort  of 
ornament  that  might  well  impose  on  the  simple-minded  natives. 
These  vagaries  excited  no  remarks,  as  mariners  are  apt  to  in- 
dulge their  whims  in  this  manner,  when  far  from  the  observa- 
tions of  those  to  whom  they  habitually  defer.  This  turban  was 
on  his  head  at  the  moment  he  entered  the  apartment  of  Ozema, 
and,  overcome  with  the  delight  of  finding  so  unexpected  a  re- 
semblance, and,  possibly,  excited  by  so  unlooked-for  an  exhibi- 
tion of  feminine  loveliness,  he  gallantly  unrolled  it,  threw  out 
the  folds  of  rich  cloth,  and  cast  it  over  the  shoulders  of  the 
beautiful  Ozema  as  a  mantle. 

The  expressions  of  gratitude  and  delight  that  escaped  this 
unsophisticated  young  creature,  were  warm,  sincere,  and  undis- 
guised. She  cast  the  ample  robe  on  the  ground  before  her, 
repeated  the  word  "  Mercedes,' '  again  and  again,  and  manifested 
her  pleasure  with  all  the  warmth  of  a  generous  and  ingenuous 
nature.  If  we  were  to  say  that  this  display  of  Ozema  was 
altogether  free  from  the  child-like  rapture  that  was,  perhaps, 
inseparable  from  her  ignorance,  it  would  be  attributing  to  her 
benighted  condition  the  experience  and  regulated  feelings  of 
advanced  civilization  ;  but,  notwithstanding  the  guileless  simplic- 
ity with  which  she  betrayed  her  emotions,  her  delight  was  not 
without  much  of  the  dignity  and  tone  that  usually  mark  the 
conduct  of  the  superior  classes  all  over  the  world.  Luis  fancied 
it  as  graceful  as  it  was  naive  and  charming.  He  endeavored  to 
imagine  the  manner  in  which  the  Lady  of  Valverde  might 
receive  an  offering  of  precious  stones  from  the  gracious  hands 
of  Dona  Isabella,  and  he  even  thought  it  very  possible  that  the 
artless  grace  of  Ozema  was  not  far  behind  what  he  knew  would 
be  the  meek  self-respect,  mingled  with  grateful  pleasure,  that 
Mercedes  could  not  fail  to  exhibit. 

While  thoughts  like  these  were  passing  through  his  mind,  the 
Indian  girl  laid  aside  her  own  less  enticing  robe,  without  a 

17 


390  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

thought  of  shame,  and  then  she  folded  her  faultless  form  in  the 
cloth  of  the  turban.  This  was  no  sooner  done,  with  a  grace 
and  freedom  peculiar  to  her  unfettered  mind,  than  she  drew  the 
necklace  of  shells  from  her  person,  and,  advancing  a  step  or  two 
toward  our  hero,  extended  the  offering  with  a  half-averted  face, 
though  the  laughing  and  willing  eyes  more  than  supplied  the 
place  of  language.  Luis  accepted  the  gift  with  suitable  eager- 
ness, nor  did  he  refrain  from  using  the  Castilian  gallantry  of 
kissing  the  pretty  hand  from  which  he  took  the  bauble. 

The  cacique,  who  had  been  a  pleased  spectator  of  all  that 
passed,  now  signed  for  the  count  to  follow  him,  leading  the  way 
toward  another  dwelling.  Here  Don  Luis  was  introduced  to 
other  young  females,  and  to  two  or  three  children,  the  former 
of  whom,  he  soon  discovered,  were  the  wives  of  Mattinao,  and 
the  latter  his  offspring.  By  dint  of  gestures,  a  few  words,  and 
such  other  means  of  explanation  as  were  resorted  to  between 
the  Spaniards  and  the  natives,  he  now  succeeded  in  ascertaining 
the  real  affinity  which  existed  between  the  cacique  and  Ozema. 
Our  hero  felt  a  sensation  like  pleasure  when  he  discovered  that 
the  Indian  beauty  was  not  married ;  and  he  was  fain  to  refer 
the  feeling,  perhaps  justly,  to  a  sort  of  jealous  sensitiveness  that 
grew  out  of  her  resemblance  to  Mercedes. 

The  remainder  of  that,  and  the  whole  of  the  three  following 
days,  were  passed  by  Luis  with  his  friend,  the  cacique,  in  this, 
the  favorite  and  sacred  residence  of  the  latter.  Of  course  our 
hero  was,  if  any  thing,  a  subject  of  greater  interest  to  all  his 
hosts,  than  they  could  possibly  be  to  him.  They  took  a  thou- 
sand innocent  liberties  with  his  person :  examining  his  dress, 
and  the  ornaments  he  wore,  not  failing  to  compare  the  white- 
ness of  his  skin  with  the  redder  tint  of  that  of  Mattinao.  On 
these  occasions  Ozema  was  the  most  reserved  and  shy,  though 
her  look  followed  every  movement,  and  her  pleased  countenance 
denoted  the  interest  she  felt  in  all  that  concerned  the  stranger. 
Hours  at  a  time,  did  Luis  lie  stretched  on  fragrant  mats  near 
this  artless  and  lovely  creature,  studying  the  wayward  expres- 
sion of  her  features,  in  the  fond  hope  of  seeing  stronger  and 


MERCEDES      OF     CASTILE.  391 

stronger  resemblances  to  Mercedes,  and  sometimes  losing  him- 
self in  that  which  was  peculiarly  her  own.  In  the  course  of  the 
time  passed  in  these  dwellings,  efforts  were  made  by  the  count 
to  obtain  some  useful  information  of  the  island  ;  and  whether  it 
was  owing  to  her  superior  rank,  or  to  a  native  superiority  of 
mind,  or  to  a  charm  of  manner,  he  soon  fancied  that  the  ca- 
cique's beautiful  sister  succeeded  better  in  making  him  under- 
stand her  meaning,  than  either  of  the  wives  of  Mattinao,  or  the 
cacique  himself.  To  Ozema,  then,  Luis  put  most  of  his  ques- 
tions ;  and  ere  the  day  had  passed,  this  quick-witted  and  atten- 
tive girl  had  made  greater  progress  in  opening  an  intelligi- 
ble understanding  between  the  adventurers  and  her  country- 
men, than  had  been  accomplished  by  the  communications  of 
the  two  previous  months.  She  caught  the  Spanish  words 
with  a  readiness  that  seemed  instinctive,  pronouncing  them 
with  an  accent  that  only  rendered  them  prettier  and  softer  to 
the  ear. 

Luis  de  Bobadilla  was  just  as  good  a  Catholic  as  a  rigid  edu- 
cation, a  wandering  life,  and  the  habits  of  the  camp  would  be 
apt  to  make  one  of  his  rank,  years,  and  temperament.  Still, 
that  was  an  age  in  which  most  laymen  had  a  deep  reverence  for 
religion,  whether  they  actually  submitted  to  its  purifying  in- 
fluence or  not.  If  there  were  any  free-thinkers,  at  all,  they 
existed  principally  among  those  who  passed  their  lives  in  their 
closets,  or  were  to  be  found  among  the  churchmen,  themselves ; 
who  often  used  the  cowl  as  a  hood  to  conceal  their  infidelity. 
His  close  association  with  Columbus,  too,  had  contributed  to 
strengthen  our  hero's  tendency  to  believe  in  the  constant  super- 
vision of  Providence ;  and  he  now  felt  a  strong  inclination  to 
fancy  that  this  extraordinary  facility  of  Ozema's  in  acquiring 
languages,  was  one  of  its  semi- miraculous  provisions,  made  with 
a  view  to  further  the  introduction  of  the  religion  of  the  cross 
among  her  people.  Often  did  he  flatter  himself,  as  he  sat  gaz- 
ing into  the  sparkling,  and  yet  mild  eyes  of  the  girl,  listening 
to  her  earnest  efforts  to  make  him  comprehend  her  meaning, 
that  he  was  to  be  the  instrument  of  bringing  about  this  great 


392  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

good,  through  so  young  and  charming  an  agent.  The  admiral 
had  also  enjoined  on  him  the  importance  of  ascertaining,  if  possi- 
ble, the  position  of  the  mines,  and  he  had  actually  succeeded  in 
making  Ozema  comprehend  his  questions  on  a  subject  that  was 
all-engrossing  with  most  of  the  Spaniards.  Her  answers  were 
less  intelligible,  but  Luis  thought  they  never  could  be  sufficient- 
ly full ;  flattering  himself,  the  whole  time,  that  he  was  only  la- 
boring to  comply  with  the  wishes  of  Columbus. 

The  day  after  his  arrival,  our  hero  was  treated  to  an  exhibi- 
tion of  some  of  the  Indian  games.  These  sports  have  been 
too  often  described  to  need  repetition  here ;  but,  in  all  their 
movements  and  exercises,  which  were  altogether  pacific,  the 
young  princess  was  conspicuous  for  grace  and  skill.  Luis,  too, 
was  required  to  show  his  powers,  and  being  exceedingly  athletic 
and  active,  he  easily  bore  away  the  palm  from  his  friend  Mat- 
tinao.  The  young  cacique  manifested  neither  jealousy  nor  dis- 
appointment at  this  result,  while  his  sister  laughed  and  clapped 
her  hands  with  delight,  when  he  was  outdone,  even  at  his 
own  sports,  by  the  greater  strength  or  greater  efforts  of  his 
guest.  More  than  once,  the  wives  of  Mattinao  seemed  to  utter 
gentle  reproaches  at  this  exuberance  of  feeling,  but  Ozema  an- 
swered with  smiling  taunts,  and  Luis  thought  her,  at  such 
moments,  more  beautiful  than  even  imagination  could  draw, 
and  perhaps  with  justice  ;  for  her  cheeks  were  flushed,  her 
eyes  became  as  brilliant  as  ornaments  of  jet,  and  the  teeth  that 
were  visible  between  lips  like  cherries,  resembled  rows  of 
ivory.  We  have  said  that  the  eyes  of  Ozema  were  black,  differ- 
ing, in  this  particular,  from  the  deep-blue,  melancholy  orbs  of 
the  enthusiastic  Mercedes  ;  but  still  they  were  alike,  so  often 
uttering  the  same  feelings,  more  especially  touching  matters  in 
which  Luis  was  concerned.  More  than  once,  during  the  trial 
of  strength,  did  the  young  man  fancy  that  the  expression  of  the 
rapture  which  fairly  danced  in  the  eyes  of  Ozema,  was  the  very 
counterpart  of  that  of  the  deep-seated  delight  which  had  so 
often  beamed  on  him,  from  the  glances  of  Mercedes,  in  the 
tourney ;  and,  at  such  times,  it  struck  him  that  the  resemblance 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  393 

between  the  two  was  so  strong  as,  after  some  allowance  had 
been  made  for  dress,  and  other  sufficiently  striking  circumstances, 
to  render  them  almost  identical. 

The  reader  is  not  to  suppose  from  this,  that  our  hero  was 
actually  inconstant  to  his  ancient  love.  Far  from  it.  Mer- 
cedes was  too  deeply  enshrined  in  his  heart — and  Luis,  with  all 
his  faults,  was  as  warm-hearted  and  true-hearted  a  cavalier  as 
breathed — to  be  so  easily  dispossessed.  But  he  was  young, 
distant  from  her  he  had  so  long  adored,  and  was,  withal,  not 
altogether  insensible  to  admiration  so  artlessly  and  winningly 
betrayed  by  the  Indian  girl.  Had  there  been  the  least  immod- 
est glance,  any  proof  that  art  or  design  lay  at  the  bottom  of 
Ozema's  conduct,  he  would  at  once  have  taken  the  alarm,  and 
been  completely  disenthralled  from  his  temporary  delusion ;  but, 
on  the  contrary,  all  was  so  frank  and  natural  with  this  artless 
girl ;  when  she  most  betrayed  the  hold  he  had  taken  of  her 
imagination,  it  was  done  with  a  simplicity  so  obvious,  a  naivete 
so  irrepressible,  and  an  ingenuousness  so  clearly  the  fruit  of  in- 
nocence, that  it  was  impossible  to  suspect  artifice.  In  a  word, 
our  hero  merely  showed  that  he  was  human,  by  yielding  in 
a  certain  degree  to  a  fascination  that,  under  the  circum- 
stances, might  well  have  made  deeper  inroads  on  the  faith 
even  of  men  who  enjoyed  much  better  reputations  for  stability 
of  purpose. 

In  situations  of  so  much  novelty,  time  Hies  swiftly,  and  Luis 
himself  was  astonished  when,  on  looking  back,  he  remembered 
that  he  had  now  been  several  days  with  Mattinao,  most  of 
which  period  had  actually  been  passed  in  what  might  not  in- 
aptly be  termed  the  seraglio  of  the  cacique.  Sancho  of  the 
ehip-yard-gate  had  not  been  in  the  least  neglected  all  this  time. 
He  had  been  a  hero,  in  his  own  circle,  as  well  as  the  young 
aoble,  nor  had  he  been  at  all  forgetful  of  his  duty  on  the  sub- 
ject of  searching  for  gold.  Though  he  had  neither  acquired  a 
single  word  of  the  Haytian  language,  nor  taught  a  syllable  of 
Spanish  to  even  one  of  the  laughing  nymphs  who  surrounded 
him,  he   had    decorated   the   persons  of  many  of  them  with 


394  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

hawk's-bells,  and  had  contrived  to  abstract  from  them,  in  re- 
turn, every  ornament  that  resembled  the  precious  metal,  which 
they  possessed.  This  transfer,  no  doubt,  was  honestly  effected, 
however,  having  been  made  on  that  favorite  principle  of  the 
free  trade  theorists,  which  maintains  that  trade  is  merely  an  ex- 
change of  equivalents ;  overlooking  all  the  adverse  circum- 
stances which  may  happen,  just  at  the  moment,  to  determine 
the  standard  of  value.  Sancho  had  his  notions  of  commerce 
as  well  as  the  modern  philosophers,  and,  as  he  and  Luis  occa- 
sionally met  during  their  sojourn  with  Mattinao,  he  revealed  a 
few  of  his  opinions  on  this  interesting  subject,  in  one  of  their 
interviews. 

"  I  perceive  thou  hast  not  forgotten  thy  passion  for  doblas, 
friend  Sancho,"  said  Luis,  laughing,  as  the  old  seaman  exhib- 
ited the  store  of  dust  and  golden  plates  he  had  collected ; 
"  there  is  sufficient  of  the  metal  in  thy  sack  to  coin  a  score  of 
them,  each  having  the  royal  countenances  of  our  lord  the  King, 
and  our  lady  the  Queen  !" 

"  Double  that,  Seiior  Conde;  just  double  that;  and  all  for 
the  price  of  some  seventeen  hawk's-bells,  that  cost  but  a  hand- 
ful of  maravedis.  By  the  mass  !  this  is  a  most  just  and  holy 
trade,  and  such  as  it  becomes  us  Christians  to  carry  on.  Here 
are  these  savages,  they  think  no  more  of  gold  than  your  Ex- 
cellency thinks  of  a  dead  Moor,  and  to  be  revenged  on  them, 
I  hold  a  hawk's-bell  just  as  cheap.  Let  them  think  as  poorly 
as  they  please  of  their  ornaments  and  yellow  dust,  they  will 
find  me  just  as  willing  to  part  with  the  twenty  hawk's-bells 
that  remain.  Let  them  barter  away,  they  wdll  find  me  as  ready 
as  they  possibly  can  be,  to  give  nothing  for  nothing.' ' 

"  Is  this  quite  honest,  Sancho,  to  rob  an  Indian  of  his  gold, 
in  exchange  for  a  bauble  that  copper  so  easily  purchaseth? 
Remember  thou  art  a  Castilian,  and  henceforth  give  two  hawk's- 
bells,  where  thou  hast  hitherto  given  but  one.11 

"  I  never  forget  my  birth,  Seiior,  for  happily  the  ship-yard 
of  Moguer  is  in  old  Spain.  Is  not  the  value  of  a  thing  to  be 
settled  by  what  it  will  bring  in  the  market  ?  ask  any  of  our 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  395 

traders  and  they  will  tell  you  tins,  which  is  clear  as  the  sun  in 
the  heavens.  When  the  Venetians  lay  before  Candia,  grapes, 
and  figs,  and  Greek  wTine,  could  be  had  for  the  asking  in  that 
island,  while  western  articles  commanded  any  price.  Oh,  noth- 
ing is  plainer  than  the  fact  that  every  thing  hath  its  price,  and 
it  is  real  trade  to  give  one  worthless  commodity  for  another." 

"  If  it  be  honest  to  profit  by  the  ignorance  of  another,"  an- 
swered Luis,  who  had  a  nobleman's  contempt  for  commerce, 
"  then  it  is  just  to  deceive  the  child  and  the  idiot." 

"  God  forbid,  and  especially  St.  Andrew,  my  patron,  that  I 
should  do  any  thing  so  wicked.  HawkVbells  are  of  more 
account  than  gold,  in  Hayti,  Seiior,  and  happening  to  know  it, 
I  am  willing  to  part  with  the  precious  things  for  the  dross.  You 
see  I  am  generous  instead  of  being  avaricious,  for  all  parties  are 
in  Hayti,  where  the  value  of  the  articles  must  be  settled.  It  is 
true,  that  after  running  great  risks  at  sea,  and  undergoing  great 
pains  and  chances,  by  carrying  this  gold  to  Spain,  I  may  be 
requited  for  my  trouble,  and  get  enough  benefit  to  make  an 
honest  livelihood.  I  hope  Dona  Isabella  will  have  so  much 
feeling  for  these,  her  new  subjects,  as  to  prevent  their  ever 
going  into  the  shipping  business — a  most  laborious  and  danger- 
ous calling,  as  we  both  well  know." 

"  And  why  art  thou  so  particular  in  desiring  this  favor  in  be- 
half of  these  poor  islanders,  and  that,  too,  Sancho,  at  the  expense 
of  thine  own  bones  ¥9. 

"  Simply,  Senor,"  answered  the  knave,  with  a  cunning  leer, 
"lest  it  unsettle  trade,  which  ought  to  be  as  free  and  unen- 
cumbered as  possible.  Here,  now,  if  we  Spaniards  come  to 
Hayti,  we  sell  one  hawk's-bell  for  a  dobla  in  gold ;  whereas, 
were  we  to  give  these  savages  the  trouble  to  come  to  Spain,  a 
dobla  of  their  gold  would  buy  a  hundred  hawk's-bells  !  No — 
no — it  is  right  as  it  is  ;  and  may  a  double  allowance  of  purgatory 
be  the  lot  of  him  who  wishes  to  throw  any  difficulties  in  the 
way  of  a  good,  honest,  free,  and  civilizing  trade,  say  I," 

Sancho  was  thus  occupied  in  explaining  his  notions  of  free 
trade — the  great  mystification  of  modern  philanthropists — when 


390  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

there  arose  such  a  cry  in  the  village  of  Mattinao,  as  is  only 
heard  in  moments  of  extreme  jeopardy  and  sudden  terror.  The 
conversation  took  place  in  the  grove,  about  midway  between 
the  town  and  the  private  dwellings  of  the  cacique  ;  and  so  im- 
plicit had  become  the  confidence  the  two  Spaniards  reposed  in 
their  friends,  that  neither  had  any  other  arms  about  his  person, 
than  those  furnished  by  nature.  Luis  had  left  both  sword  and 
buckler,  half  an  hour  earlier,  at  the  feet  of  Ozema,  who  had 
been  enacting  a  mimic  hero,  with  his  weapons,  for  their  mutual 
diversion  ;  while  Sancho  had  found  the  arquebuse  much  too 
heavy  to  be  carried  about  for  a  plaything.  The  last  was 
deposited  in  the  room  where  he  had  taken  up  his  comfortable 
quarters. 

"  Can  this  mean  treachery,  Seiior  V  exclaimed  Sancho. 
"  Have  these  blackguards  found  out  the  true  value  of  hawk's- 
bells,  after  all,  and  do  they  mean  to  demand  the  balance  due 
them  I" 

"  My  life  on  it,  Mattinao  and  all  his  people  are  true,  Sancho. 
This  uproar  hath  a  different  meaning — hark  !  is  not  that  the  cry 
of  <  Caonabo  V  " 

"  The  very  same,  Sefior!  That  is  the  name  of  the  Carib 
cacique,  who  is  the  terror  of  all  these  tribes." 

"  Thy  arquebuse,  Sancho,  if  possible  ;  then  join  me  at  the 
dwellings  above.  Ozema  and  the  wives  of  our  good  friend 
must  be  defended,  at  every  hazard  !" 

Luis  had  no  sooner  given  these  orders,  than  he  and  Sancho 
separated,  the  latter  running  toward  the  town,  which,  by  this 
time,  was  a  scene  of  wild  tumult,  while  our  hero,  slowly  and 
sullenly,  retired  toward  the  private  dwellings  of  the  cacique,  oc- 
casionally looking  back,  as  if  he  longed  to  plunge  into  the 
thickest  of  the  fray.  Twenty  times  did  he  wish  for  his  favorite 
charger  and  a  stout  lance,  when,  indeed,  it  would  not  have 
been  an  extraordinary  feat  for  a  knight  of  his  prowess  to  put 
to  flight  a  thousand  enemies  like  those  who  now  menaced 
him.  Often  had  he  singly  broken  whole  ranks  of  Christian 
foot-soldiers,  and  it  is  well  known  that   solitary  individuals, 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  397 

when  mounted,  subsequently  drove  hundreds  of  the  natives 
before  them. 

The  alarm  reached  the  dwelling  of  Mattinao  before  our  hero. 
When  he  entered  the  house  of  Ozema,  he  found  its  mistress 
surrounded  by  fifty  females,  some  of  whom  had  already  ascended 
from  the  town  below,  each  of  whom  was  eagerly  uttering  the  ter- 
rible name  of  "Caonabo."  Ozema  herself  was  the  most  col- 
lected of  them  all,  though  it  was  apparent  that,  from  some 
cause,  she  was  an  object  of  particular  solicitude  from  those 
around  her.  As  Luis  entered  the  apartment,  the  wives  of  Mat- 
tinao were  pressing  around  the  princess  ;  and  he  soon  gathered 
from  their  words  and  entreaties,  that  they  urged  her  to  fly,  lest 
she  should  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  Carib  chief.  He  even 
fancied,  and  he  fancied  it  justly,  that  the  rest  of  the  females 
supposed  the  seizure  of  the  cacique's  beautiful  sister  to  be  the 
real  object  of  the  sudden  attack.  This  conjecture  in  no  manner 
lessened  Luis'  ardor  in  the  defence.  The  moment  Ozema 
caught  sight  of  him,  she  flew  to  his  side,  clasping  her  hands, 
and  uttering  the  name  of  "  Caonabo,' '  in  a  tone  that  would  have 
melted  a  heart  of  stone.  At  the  same  time,  her  eyes  spoke  a 
language  of  hope,  confidence,  and  petition  that  was  not  necessary 
to  enlist  our  hero's  resolution  on  her  side.  In  a  moment,  the 
sword  of  the  young  cavalier  was  in  his  hand,  and  the  buckler 
on  his  arm.  He  then  assured  the  princess  of  his  zeal,  in  the 
best  manner  he  could,  by  placing  the  buckler  before  her 
throbbing  breast,  and  waving  the  sword,  as  in  defiance  of  her 
enemies  :  no  sooner  was  this  pledge  given,  than  every  other 
female  disappeared,  some  flying  to  the  rescue  of  their  children, 
and  all  endeavoring  to  find  places  of  concealment.  By  this  sin- 
gular and  unexpected  desertion,  Luis  found  himself,  for  the 
first  time  since  they  had  met,  alone  with  Ozema. 

To  remain  in  the  house  would  be  to  suffer  the  enemy  to 
approach  unseen,  and  the  shrieks  and  cries  sufficiently  an- 
nounced that,  each  moment,  the  danger  grew  nearer.  Luis  ac- 
cordingly made  a  sign  for  the  girl  to  follow  him,  first  rolling 
the  turban  into  a  bundle  and  placing  it  on  her  arm,  that  it 


398  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

might  serve  her,  at  need,  as  a  species  of  shield  against  the 
hostile  arrows.  While  he  was  thus  employed,  Ozema's  head 
fell  upon  his  breast,  and  the  excited  girl  burst  into  tears.  This 
display  of  weakness,  however,  lasted  but  a  moment,  when  she 
aroused  herself,  smiled  through  her  tears,  pressed  the  arm  of 
Luis  convulsively,  and  became  the  Indian  heroine  again.  They 
then  left  the  building  together. 

Luis  soon  perceived  that  his  retreat  from  the  house  had  not 
been  made  a  moment  too  soon.  The  family  of  Mattinao  had 
already  disappeared,  and  a  strong  party  of  the  invaders  was  in 
full  view,  rushing  madly  up  the  grove,  'silent,  but  evidently 
bent  on  seizing  their  prey.  He  felt  Ozeina,  who  clung  to  his 
arm,  tremble  violently,  and  then  he  heard  her  murmuring — 

"  Caonabo — no — no — no  I" 

The  young  Indian  princess  had  caught  the  Spanish  monosyl- 
lable of  dissent,  and  Luis  understood  this  exclamation  to  express 
her  strong  disinclination  to  become  a  wife  of  the  Carib  chief. 
His  resolution  to  protect  her  or  to  die,  was  in  no  manner 
lessened  by  this  involuntary  betrayal  of  her  feelings,  which  he 
could  not  but  think  might  have  some  connection  with  himself; 
for,  while  our  hero  was  both  honorable  and  generous,  he  was 
human,  and,  consequently,  well  disposed  to  take  a  favorable 
view  of  his  own  powers  of  pleasing.  It  was  only  in  connection 
with  Mercedes,  that  Luis  de  Bobadilla  was  humble. 

A  soldier  almost  from  childhood,  the  young  count  looked 
hastily  around  him  for  a  position  that  would  favor  his  means 
of  defence,  and  which  would  render  his  arms  the  most  available. 
Luckily,  one  offered  so  near  him,  that  it  required  but  a  minute 
to  occupy  it.  The  terrace  lay  against  a  precipice  of  rocks,  and 
a  hundred  feet  from  the  house,  was  a  spot  where  the  face  of 
this  precipice  was  angular,  throwing  forward  a  wall  on  each 
side  to  some  distance,  while  the  cliff  above  overhung  the  base 
sufficiently  to  remove  all  danger  from  falling  stones.  In  the 
angle  were  several  large  fragments  of  rock  that  would  afford 
shelter  against  arrows,  and,  there  being  a  sufficient  space  of 
greensward  before  them,  on  which  a  knight  might  well  display 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  399 

his  prowess  when  in  possession  of-  this  position,  our  hero  felt 
himself  strong,  if  not  impregnable,  since  he  could  be  assailed 
only  in  front.  Ozema  was  stationed  behind  one  of  the  frag- 
ments of  the  fallen  rocks,  her  person  only  half  concealed,  how- 
ever, concern  for  Luis,  and  curiosity  as  related  to  her  enemies, 
equally  inducing  her  to  expose  her  head  and  beautiful  bust. 

Luis  was  scarcely  in  possession  of  this  post,  ere  a  dozen  In- 
dians were  drawn  up  in  a  line  at  the  distance  of  fifty  yards  in 
his  front.  They  were  armed  with  bows,  war-clubs,  and  spears. 
Being  without  other  defensive  armor  than  his  buckler,  the 
young  man  would  have  thought  his  situation  sufficiently  criti- 
cal, did  he  not  know  that  the  archery  of  the  natives  was  any 
thing  but  formidable.  Their  arrows  would  kill,  certainly,  when 
shot  at  short  distances,  and  against  the  naked  skin,  but  it  might 
be  questioned  if  they  would  penetrate  the  stout  velvet  in  which 
Luis  was  encased,  and  fifty  yards  was  not  near  enough  to  excite 
undue  alarm.  The  young  man  did  not  dare  to  retreat  to  the 
rocks,  as  a  clear  space  was  indispensable  for  the  free  use  of  his 
good  sword,  and  to  that  weapon  alone  he  looked  for  his  even- 
tual triumph.  -     • 

It  was,  perhaps,  fortunate  for  our  hero  that  Caonabo  himself 
was  not  with  the  party  which  beleaguered  him.  That  redoubt- 
able chieftain,  who  had  been  led  to  a  distance  in  pursuit  of  the 
flying  females,  under  a  belief  that  she  he  sought  was  among 
them,  would  doubtless  have  brought  the  matter  to  an  imme- 
diate issue  by  a  desperate  charge,  when  numbers  might  have 
prevailed  against  courage  and  skill.  The  actual  assailants  chose 
a  different  course,  and  began  to  poise  their  bows.  One  of  the 
most  skilful  among  them  drew  an  arrow  to  the  head,  and  let  it 
fly.  The  missile  glanced  from  the  buckler  of  the  knight,  and 
struck  the  hill  behind  him,  as  lightly  as  if  the  parties  had  been 
at  their  idle  sports.  Another  followed,  and  Luis  turned  it  aside 
witn  his  sword,  disdaining  to  raise  his  shield  against  such  a 
trifle.  This  cool  manner  of  receiving  their  assaults  caused  the 
[ndians  to  raise  a  shout,  whether  in  admiration  or  rage,  Luis 
could  not  tell. 


400  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

The  next  attack  was  more  judicious,  being  made  on  a  princi- 
ple that  Napoleon  is  said  to  have  adopted  in  directing  dis- 
charges of  his  artillery.  All  those  who  had  bows,  some  six  or 
eight,  drew  their  arrows  together,  and  the  weapons  came  rat- 
tling on  the  buckler  of  the  assailed  in  a  single  flight.  It  was 
not  easy  to  escape  altogether  from  such  a  combined  assault, 
and  our  hero  received  one  or  two  bruises  from  glancing  arrows, 
though  no  blood  followed  the  blows.  A  second  attempt  of  the 
same  nature  was  about  to  be  made,  when  the  alarmed  girl 
rushed  from  her  place  of  concealment,  and,  like  the  Pocahontas 
of  our  own  history,  threw  herself  before  Luis,  with  her  arms 
meekly  placed  on  her  bosom.  As  soon  as  she  appeared,  there 
was  a  cry  of  "  Ozema" — "Ozema,"  among  the  assailants,  who 
were  not  Caribs,  as  all  will  understand  who  are  familiar  with 
the  island  history,  but  milder  Haytians,  governed  by  a  Carib 
chief. 

In  vain  Luis  endeavored  to  persuade  the  devoted  girl  to 
withdraw.  She  thought  his  life  in  danger,  and  no  language, 
had  he  been  able  to  exert  his  eloquence  on  the  occasion,  could 
have  induced  her  to  leave  him  exposed  to  such  a  danger.  As 
the  Indians  were  endeavoring  to  obtain  chances  at  the  person 
of  Luis  without  killing  the  princess,  he  saw  there  remained  no 
alternative  but  a  retreat  behind  the  fragment  of  rock.  Just  as 
he  obtained  this  temporary  security,  a  fierce-looking  warrior 
joined  the  assailants,  who  immediately  commenced  a  vociferous 
explanation  of  the  actual  state  of  the  attack. 

"  Caonabo?"  demanded  Luis,  of  Ozema,  pointing  toward  the 
new-comer. 

The  girl  shook  her  head,  after  taking  an  anxious  look  at  the 
stranger's  face,  at  the  same  time  clinging  to  our  hero's  arm, 
with  seductive  dependence. 

No — no — no — "  she  said,  eagerly.  "  No  Caonabo — no — 
no — no." 

"  Luis  understood  the  first  part  of  this  answer  to  mean  that 
the  stranger  was  not  the  Carib  chief ;  and  the  last  to  signify 
Ozema's  strong  and  settled  aversion  to  becoming  his  wife. 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  401 

The  consultation  among  the  assailants  was  soon  ended.  Six 
of  them  then  poised  their  war-clubs  and  spears,  and  made  a 
rush  for  the  citadel  of  the  besieged.  When  they  were  within 
twenty  feet  of  his  cover,  our  hero  sprang  lightly  forward  on 
the  sward  to  meet  his  foes.  Two  of  the  spears  he  received  on 
his  buckler,  severing  both  shafts  with  a  single  blow  of  his  keen 
and  highly-tempered  sword.  As  lie  recovered  from  the  effort, 
with  an  upward  cut  be  met  the  raised  arm  of  the  club-man 
most  in  advance.  Hand  and  club  fell  at  his  feet  with  the  skil- 
ful touch.  Making  a  sweep  with  the  weapon  in  his  front, 
its  point  seamed  the  breasts  of  the  two  astonished  spears- 
men,  whose  distance  alone  saved  them  from  more  serious 
injuries. 

This  rapid  and  unlooked-for  execution  struck  the  assailants 
with  awe  and  dread.  Never  before  had  they  witnessed  the 
power  of  metal  as  used  in  war ;  and  the  sudden  amputation  of 
the  arm  struck  them  as  something  miraculous.  Even  the 
ferocious  Carib  fell  back  in  dismay,  and  Luis  felt  hopes  of  vic- 
tory. This  was  the  first  occasion  on  which  the  Spaniards  had 
come  to  blows  with  the  mild  inhabitants  of  the  islands  they 
had  discovered,  though  it  is  usual  with  the  historians  to  refer  to 
an  incident  of  still  latter  occurrence,  as  the  commencement  of 
strife,  the  severe  privacy  which  has  ever  been  thrown  over  the 
connection  of  Don  Luis  with  the  expedition,  having  completely 
baffled  their  slight  and  superficial  researches.  Of  course,  the 
efficiency  of  a  weapon  like  that  used  by  our  hero,  was  as  novel 
to  the  Haytians  as  it  was  terrific. 

At  this  instant  a  shout  among  the  assailants,  and  the  ap- 
pearance of  a  fresh  body  of  the  invaders,  with  a  tall  and  com- 
manding chief  at  their  head,  announced  the  arrival  of  Caonabo 
in  person.  This  warlike  cacique  was  soon  made  acquainted 
with  the  state  of  affairs,  and  it  was  evident  that  the  prowess  of 
our  hero  struck  him  as  much  with  admiration  as  with  wonder. 
After  a  few  minutes,  he  directed  his  followers  to  fall  back  to  a 
greater  distance,  and,  laying  aside  his  club,  he  advanced  fear- 
lessly toward  Luis,  making  signs  of  amity. 


402  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

Wlien  the  two  adversaries  met,  it  was  with  mutual  respect 
and  confidence.  The  Carib  made  a  short  and  vehement  speech, 
in  which  the  only  word  that  was  intelligible  to  our  hero,  was 
the  name  of  the  beautiful  young  Indian.  By  this  time  Ozema 
had  also  advanced,  as  if  eager  to  speak,  and  her  rude  suitor 
turned  to  her,  with  an  appeal  that  was  passionate,  if  not  elo- 
quent. He  laid  his  hand  frequently  on  his  heart,  and  his  voice 
became  soft  and  persuasive.  Ozema  replied  earnestly,  and  in 
the  quick  manner  of  one  whose  resolution  was  settled.  At  the 
close  of  her  speech,  the  color  mounted  to  the  temples  of  the 
ardent  girl,  and,  as  if  purposely  to  make  her  meaning  under- 
stood by  our  hero,  she  ended  by  saying,  in  Spanish — 

"  Caonabo — no — no — no  ! — Luis — Luis !" 

The  aspect  of  the  hurricane  of  the  tropics  is  not  darker,  or 
more  menacing,  than  the  scowl  with  which  the  Carib  chief 
heard  this  unequivocal  rejection  of  his  suit,  accompanied,  as  it 
was,  by  so  plain  a  demonstration  in  favor  of  the  stranger.  "Wav- 
ing his  hand  in  defiance,  he  strode  back  to  his  people,  and 
issued  orders  for  a  fresh  assault. 

This  time,  a  tempest  of  arrows  preceded  the  rush,  and  Luis 
was  fain  to  seek  his  former  cover  behind  the  rocks.  Indeed, 
this  was  the  only  manner  in  which  he  could  save  the  life  of 
Ozema ;  the  devoted  girl  resolutely  persevering  in  standing  be- 
fore his  body,  in  the  hope  it  would  shield  him  from  his  enemies. 
There  had  been  some  words  of  reproach  from  Caonabo  to  the 
Carib  chief  who  had  retreated  from  the  first  attack,  and  the  air 
was  yet  filled  with  arrows,  as  this  man  rushed  forward,  singly, 
to  redeem  his  name.  Luis  met  him,  firm  as  the  rock  behind 
him.  The  shock  was  violent,  and  the  blow  that  fell  on  the 
buckler  would  have  crushed  an  arm  less  inured  to  such  rude 
encounters ;  but  it  glanced  obliquely  from  the  shield,  and  the 
club  struck  the  earth  with  the  weight  of  a  beetle.  Our  hero  saw 
that  all  now  depended  on  a  deep  impression.  His  sword  flashed 
in  the  bright  sun,  and  the  head  of  the  Carib  tumbled  by  the  side 
of  his  club,  actually  leaving  the  body  erect  for  an  instant,  so  keen 
was  the  weapon,  and  so  dexterous  had  been  the  blow. 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  403 

Twenty  savages  were  on  the  spring,  but  they  stopped  like 
men  transfixed,  at  this  unexpected  sight.  Caonabo,  however, 
undaunted  even  when  most  surprised,  roared  out  his  orders  like 
a  maddened  bull,  and  the  wavering  crowd  was  again  about  to 
advance,  when  the  loud  report  of  an  arquebuse  was  heard,  fol- 
lowed by  the  whistling  of  its  deadly  missives.  A  second  Hay- 
tian  fell  dead  in  his  tracks.  It  exceeded  the  powers  of  savage 
endurance  to  resist  this  assault,  which,  to  their  uninstructed 
minds,  appeared  to  come  from  heaven.  In  two  minutes,  nei- 
ther Caonabo  nor  any  of  his  followers  wrere  visible.  As  they 
rushed  down  the  hill,  Sancho  appeared  from  a  cover,  carrying 
the  arquebuse,  which  he  had  taken  the  precaution  to  reload. 

The  circumstances  did  not  admit  of  delay.  Not  a  being  of 
Mattinao's  tribe  was  to  be  seen  in  any  direction ;  and  Luis  made 
no  doubt  that  they  had  all  fled.  Determined  to  save  Ozema  at 
every  hazard,  he  now  took  his  way  to  the  river,  in  order  to  es- 
cape in  one  of  the  canoes.  In  passing  through  the  town,  it 
was  seen  that  not  a  house  had  been  plundered ;  and  the  circum- 
stance was  commented  on  by  the  Spaniards,  Luis  pointing  it 
out  to  his  companion. 

"Caonabo — no — no — no — Ozema! — Ozema  !"  was  the  an- 
swer of  the  girl,  who  well  knew  the  real  object  of  the  inroad. 

A  dozen  canoes  lay  at  the  landing,  and  five  minutes  sufficed 
for  the  fugitives  to  enter  one  and  to  commence  their  retreat. 
The  current  flowed  toward  the  sea,  and  in  a  couple  of  hours 
they  were  on  the  ocean.  As  the  wind  blew  constantly  from 
the  eastward,  Sancho  soon  rigged  an  apology  for  a  sail,  and  an 
hour  before  the  sun  set,  the  party  landed  on  a  point  that  con- 
cealed them  from  the  bay ;  Luis  being  mindful  of  the  admiral's 
injunction,  to  conceal  his  excursion,  lest  others  might  claim  a 
similar  favor. 


404  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 


CHAPTER   XXIV. 

"  Three  score  and  ten  I  can  remember  well, 
Within  the  volume  of  which  time  I  have  seen 
Hours  dreadful,  and  things  strange,  but  this  sore  sight 
Hath  trifled  former  knowings." 

MACBETJI. 

A  sight  that  struck  our  hero  with  a  terror  and  awe,  almost 
as  great  as  those  experienced  by  the  ignorant  Haytians  at  the 
report  and  effect  of  the  arquebuse,  awaited  him,  as  he  came  in 
view  of  the  anchorage.  The  Santa  Maria,  that  vessel  of  the 
admiral,  which  he  had  left  only  four  days  before  in  her  gallant 
array  and  pride,  lay  a  stranded  wreck  on  the  sands,  with  fallen 
masts,  broken  sides,  and  all  the  other  signs  of  nautical  destruc- 
tion. The  Nina  was  anchored  in  safety,  it  is  true,  at  no  great 
distance,  but  a  sense  of  loneliness  and  desertion  came  over  the 
young  man,  as  he  gazed  at  this  small  craft,  which  was  little  more 
than  a  felucca,  raised  to  the  rank  of  a  ship  for  the  purposes  of 
the  voyage.  The  beach  was  covered  with  stores,  and  it  was 
evident  that  the  Spaniards  and  the  people  of  Guacanagari  toiled 
in  company,  at  the  construction  of  a  sort  of  fortress ;  an  omen 
that  some  great  change  had  come  over  the  expedition.  Ozema 
was  immediately  left  in  the  house  of  a  native,  and  the  two  ad- 
venturers hurried  forward  to  join  their  friends,  and  to  ask  an 
explanation  of  what  they  had  seen. 

Columbus  received  his  young  friend  kindly,  but  in  deep 
affliction.  The  manner  in  which  the  ship  was  lost  has  been 
often  told,  and  Luis  learned  that  the  Nina  being  too  small  to 
carry  all  away,  a  colony  was  to  be  left  in  the  fortress,  while  the 
remainder  of  the  adventurers  hastened  back  to  Spain.  Guacan- 
agari had  shown  himself  full  of  sympathy,  and  was  kindness  it- 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  405 

self,  while  every  one  had  been  too  much  occupied  with  the 
shipwreck  to  miss  our  hero,  or  to  hearken  to  rumors  of  an  event 
as  common  as  an  inroad  from  a  Carib  chief,  to  carry  off  an  In- 
dian beauty.  Perhaps,  the  latter  event  was  still  too  recent  to 
have  reached  the  shores. 

The  week  that  succeeded  the  return  of  Luis  was  one  of  active 
exertion.  The  Santa  Maria  was  wrecked  on  the  morning  of 
Christmas  day,  1492,  and  on  that  of  the  4th  of  January  follow- 
ing, the  Nina  was  ready  to  depart  on  her  return  voyage. 
During  this  interval,  Luis  had  seen  Ozema  but  once,  and  then 
he  had  found  her  sorrowing,  mute,  and  resembling  a  withered 
flower,  that  retained  its  beauty  even  while  it  drooped.  On  the 
evening  of  the  third,  however,  while  lingering  near  the  new- 
finished  fortress,  he  was  summoned  by  Sancho  to  another  inter- 
view. To  the  surprise  of  our  hero,  he  found  the  young  cacique 
with  his  sister. 

Although  language  was  wTanting,  on  this  occasion,  the  parties 
easily  understood  each  other.  Ozema  was  no  longer  sorrowful, 
and  borne  down  with  grief:  the  smile  and  the  laugh  came 
easily  from  her  young  and  buoyant  spirits,  and  Luis  thought  he 
had  never  seen  her  so  winning  and  lovely.  She  had  arranged  her 
scanty  toilet  with  Indian  coquetry,  and  the  bright,  warm  color 
of  her  cheeks  added  new  lustre  to  her  brilliant  eyes.  Her  light, 
agile  form,  a  model  of  artless  grace,  seemed  so  ethereal  as 
scarce  to  touch  the  earth.  The  secret  of  this  sudden  change 
was  not  long  hid  from  Luis.  The  brother  and  sister,  after  dis- 
cussing all  their  dangers  and  escapes,  and  passing  in  review  the 
character  and  known  determination  of  Caonabo,  had  come  to 
the  conclusion  that  there  was  no  refuge  for  Ozema  but  in 
flight.  What  most  determined  'the  brother  to  consent  that  his 
sister  should  accompany  the  strangers  to  their  distant  home,  it 
would  be  useless  to  inquire ;  but  the  motive  of  Ozema  herself, 
can  be  no  secret  to  the  reader.  It  was  known  that  the  admiral 
was  desirous  of  carrying  to  Spain  a  party  of  natives  ;  and  three 
females,  one  of  whom  was  of  Ozema' s  rank,  had  already  con- 
sented to  go.     This  chieftain's  wife  was  not  only  known  to 


406  MERCEDES      OF     CASTILE. 

Ozema,  but  she  was  a  kinswoman.  Every  thing  seemed  propi- 
tious to  the  undertaking ;  and  as  a  voyage  to  Spain  was  still  a 
mystery  to  the  natives,  who  regarded  it  as  something  like  an 
extended  passage  from  one  of  their  islands  to  another,  no  formi- 
dable difficulties  presented  themselves  to  the  imagination  of 
either  the  cacique  or  his  sister. 

This  proposition  took  our  hero  by  surprise.  He  was  both 
flattered  and  pleased  at  the  self-devotion  of  Ozema,  even  while 
it  troubled  him.  Perhaps  there  were  moments  when  he  a  little 
distrusted  himself.  Still  Mercedes  reigned  in  his  heart,  and  he 
shook  off  the  feeling  as  a  suspicion  that  a  true  knight  could  not 
entertain  without  offering  an  insult  to  his  own  honor.  On 
second  thoughts,  there  were  fewer  objections  to  the  scheme 
than  he  at  first  fancied  ;  and,  after  an  hour's  discussion,  he  left 
the  place  to  go  and  consult  the  admiral. 

Columbus  was  still  at  the  fortress,  and  he  heard  our  hero 
gravely  and  with  interest.  Once  or  twice  Luis'  eyes  dropped 
under  the  searching  glance  of  his  superior ;  but,  on  the  whole, 
he  acquitted  himself  of  the  task  he  had  undertaken,  with  credit. 

"  The  sister  of  a  cacique,  thou  say'st,  Don  Luis,"  returned 
the  admiral,  thoughtfully.    "  The  virgin  sister  of  a  cacique  I" 

u  Even  so,  Don  Christopher;  and  of  a  grace,  birth,  and 
beauty,  that  will  give  our  Lady,  the  Queen,  a  most  exalted 
idea  of  the  merits  of  our  discovery." 

"Thou  wilt  remember,  Seiior  Conde,  that  naught  but  purity 
may  be  offered  to  purity.  Dona  Isabella  is  a  model  for  all 
queens,  and  mothers,  and  wives ;  and  I  trust  nothing  to  offend 
her  angelic  mind  can  ever  come  from  her  favored  servants. 
There  has  been  no  deception  practised  on  this  wild  girl,  to  lead 
her  into  sin  and  misery  ?" 

"  Don  Christopher,  you  can  scarce  think  this  of  me.  Dona 
Mercedes  herself  is  not  more  innocent  than  the  girl  I  mean,  nor 
could  her  brother  feel  more  solicitude  in  her  fortunes,  than  I 
feel.  When  the  king  and  queen  have  satisfied  their  curiosity, 
and  dismissed  her,  I  propose  to  place  her  under  the  care  of  the 
Lady  of  Valverde." 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  407 

"The  rarer  the  specimens  that  we  take,  the  better,  Luis. 
This  wil  gratify  the  sovereigns,  and  cause  them  to  think  favor- 
ably of  our  discoveries,  as  thou  say'st.  It  might  be  done  with- 
out inconvenience.  The  Nina  is  small,  of  a  verity,  but  we  gain 
much  in  leaving  this  large  party  behind  us.  I  have  given  up 
the  principal  cabin  to  the  other  females,  since  thou  and  I  can 
fare  rudely  for  a  few  weeks.  Let  the  girl  come,  and  see  thou  to 
her  comfort  and  convenience." 

This  settled  the  matter.  Early  next  morning  Ozema  em- 
barked, carrying  with  her  the  simple  wealth  of  an  Indian  prin- 
cess, among  which  the  turban  was  carefully  preserved.  Her 
relative  had  an  attendant,  who  sufficed  for  both.  Luis  paid 
great  attention  to  the  accommodations,  in  which  both  comfort 
and  privacy  were  duly  respected.  The  parting  with  Mattinao 
was  touchingly  tender,  for  the  domestic  affections  appear  to 
have  been  much  cultivated  among  these  simple-minded  and 
gentle  people ;  but  the  separation,  it  was  supposed,  would  be 
short,  and  Ozema  had,  again  and  again,  assured  her  brother  that 
her  repugnance  to  Caonabo,  powerful  cacique  as  he  might  be, 
was  unconquerable.  Each  hour  increased  it,  strengthening  her 
resolution  never  to  become  his  wife.  The  alternative  was  to 
secrete  herself  in  the  island,  or  to  make  this  voyage  to  Spain  ; 
and  there  was  glory  as  well  as  security  in  the  latter.  With  this 
consolation,  the  brother  and  sister  parted. 

Columbus  had  intended  to  push  his  discoveries  much  further, 
before  he  returned  to  Europe  ;  but  the  loss  of  the  Santa  Maria, 
and  the  desertion  of  the  Pinta,  reduced  him  to  the  necessity  of 
bringing  the  expedition  to  a  close,  lest,  by  some  untoward  acci- 
dent, all  that  had  actually  been  achieved  should  be  forever  lost 
to  the  world.  Accordingly,  in  the  course  of  the  4th  of  Janua- 
ry, 1493,  he  made  sail  to  the  eastward,  holding  his  course  along 
the  shores  of  Hayti.  His  great  object  now  was  to  get  back  to 
Spain  before  his  remaining  little  bark  should  fail  him,  whon 
his  own  name  would  perish  with  the  knowledge  of  his  discov- 
eries. Fortunately,  however,  on  the  6th,  the  Pinta  was  seen 
coming  down  before  the  wind,  Martin  Alonzo  Pinzon  having 


408  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

effected  one  of  the  purposes  for  which  he  had  parted  company, 
that  of  securing  a  quantity  of  gold,  but  failed  in  discovering 
any  mines,  which  is  believed  to  have  been  his  principal  motive. 

It  is  not  important  to  the  narrative  to  relate  the  details  of  the 
meeting  that  followed.  Columbus  received  the  offending  Pin- 
zon  with  prudent  reserve,  and,  hearing  his  explanations,  he 
directed  him  to  prepare  the  Pinta  for  the  return  passage. 
After  wooding  and  watering  accordingly,  in  a  bay  favorable  to 
such  objects,  the  two  vessels  proceeded  to  the  eastward  in  com- 
pany ;  still  following  the  north  shore  of  Hayti,  Espanola,  or 
Little  Spain,  as  the  island  had  been  named  by  Columbus.* 

It  was  the  16th  of  the  month,  ere  the  adventurers  finally 
took  their  leave  of  this  beautiful  spot.  They  had  scarcely  got 
clear  of  the  land,  steering  a  north-easterly  course,  when  the 
favorable  winds  deserted  them,  and  they  were  again  met  by  the 
trades.  The  weather  was  moderate,  however,  and  by  keeping 
the  two  vessels  on  the  best  tack,  by  the  10th  of  February,  the 
admiral,  making  sundry  deviations  from  a  straight  course,  how- 
ever, had  stretched  across  the  track  of  ocean  in  which  these 
constant  breezes  prevailed,  and  reached  a  parallel  of  latitude  as 
high  as  Palos,  his  port.  In  making  this  long  slant,  the  Nina, 
contrary  to  former  experience,  was  much  detained  by  the  dull 
sailing  of  the  Pinta,  which  vessel,  having  sprung  her  after-mast, 
was  unable  to  bear  a  press  of  sail.  The  light  breeze  also  favored 
the  first,  which  had  ever  been  deemed  a  fast  craft  in  smooth 
water  and  gentle  gales. 

*  The  fortunes  of  this  beautiful  island  furnish  a  remarkable  proof  of  the  manner  in 
which  abussc  are  made,  by  the  providence  of  God,  to  produce  their  own  punishments. 
This  island,  which  is  about  two-thirds  the  size  of  the  state  of  New  York,  was  the  seat 
of  Spanish  authority,  in  the  New  World,  for  many  years.  The  mild  aborigines,  who 
Avere  numerous  and  happy  when  discovered,  were  literally  exterminated  by  the  cruel- 
ties of  their  new  masters;  and  it  was  found  necessary  to  import  negroes  from  Africa, 
to  toil  in  the  cane-fields.  Toward  the  middle  of  the  sixteenth  century,  it  is  said  that 
two  hundred  of  the  aborigines  were  not  to  be  found  in  the  island,  although  Ovando 
Aad  decoyed  no  less  than  forty  thousand  from  the  Bahamas,  to  supply  the  places  of  the 
dead,  as  early  as  1513 1  At  a  later  day,  Espanola  passed  into  the  hands  of  the  French, 
and  all  know  the  terrible  events  by  which  it  has  gone  into  the  exclusive  possession  of 
the  descendants  of  the  children  of  Africa.  All  that  has  been  said  of  the  influence  of 
the  white  population  of  this  country,  as  connected  with  our  own  Indians,  sinks  into 
insignificance,  as  compared  with  these  astounding  facts. 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  409 

Most  of  the  phenomena  of  the  outward  passage  were  observed 
on  the  homeward ;  but  the  tunny-fish  no  longer  excited  hopes, 
nor  did  the  sea-weed  awaken  fears.  These  familiar  objects  were 
successfully,  but  slowly  passed,  and  the  variable  winds  were  hap- 
pily struck  again  in  the  first  fortnight.  Here  the  traverses  neces- 
sarily became  more  and  more  complicated,  until  the  pilots, 
unused  to  so  long  and  difficult  a  navigation,  in  which  they 
received  no  aids  from  either  land  or  water,  got  confused  in  their 
reckonings,  disputing  hotly  among  themselves  concerning  their 
true  position. 

"  Thou  hast  heard  to-day,  Luis,"  said  the  admiral,  smiling,  in 
one  of  his  renewed  conferences  with  our  hero,  "  the  contentions 
of  Vicente  Yanez,  with  his  brother,  Martin  Alonzo,  and  the 
other  pilots,  touching  our  distance  from  Spain.  These  constant 
shifts  of  wind  have  perplexed  the  honest  mariners,  and  they 
fancy  themselves  in  any  part  of  the  Atlantic,  but  that  in  which 
they  really  are !" 

"  Much  depends  on  you,  Seiior;  not  only  our  safety,  but 
the  knowledge  of  our  great  discoveries." 

"  Thou  say'st  true,  Don  Luis.  Vicente  Yanez,  Sancho  Euiz, 
Pedro  Alonzo  Mno,  and  Bartolemeo  Roldan,  to  say  nothing  of 
the  profound  calculators  in  the  Pinta,  place  the  vessels  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Madeira,  which  is  nearer  to  Spain,  by  a  hun- 
dred and  fifty  leagues,  than  the  truth  would  show.  These 
honest  people  have  followed  their  wishes,  rather  than  their 
knowledge  of  the  ocean  and  the  heavens." 

"  And  you,  Don  Christopher,  where  do  you  place  the  cara- 
vels, since  there  is  no  motive  to  conceal  the  truth?" 

"  We  are  south  of  Flores,  young  Count,  fully  twelve  degrees 
west  of  the  Canaries,  and  in  the  latitude  of  Nafe,  in  Africa. 
But  I  would  that  they  should  be  bewildered,  until  the  right  of 
possession  to  our  discoveries  be  made  a  matter  of  certainty. 
Not  one  of  these  men  now  doubts  his  ability  to  do  all  I  have 
done,  and  yet  neither  is  able  to  grope  his  way  back  again,  after 
crossing  this  track  of  water  to  Asia !" 

Luis  understood  the  admiral.,  and  the  size  of  the  vessels  ren* 


410  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

dering  the  communication  of  secrets  hazardous,  the  conversa- 
tion changed. 

Up  to  this  time,  though  the  winds  were  often  variable,  the 
weather  had  been  good.  A  few  squalls  had  occurred,  as  com- 
monly happens  at  sea,  but  they  had  proved  to  be  neither  long 
nor  severe.  All  this  was  extremely  grateful  to  Columbus,  who, 
now  he  had  effected  the  great  purpose  for  which  he  might  have 
been  said  to  live,  felt  some  such  concern  lest  the  important 
secret  should  be  lost  to  the  rest  of  mankind,  as  one  who  carries 
a  precious  object  through  scenes  of  danger  experiences  for  the 
safety  of  his  charge.  A  change,  however,  was  at  hand,  and  at 
the  very  moment  when  the  great  navigator  began  to  hope  the 
best,  he  was  fated  to  experience  the  severest  of  all  his  trials. 

As  the  vessels  advanced  north,  the  weather  became  cooler,  as 
a  matter  of  course,  and  the  wTinds  stronger.  During  the  night 
of  the  11th  of  February,  the  caravels  made  a  great  run  on  their 
course,  gaining  more  than  a  hundred  miles  between  sunset  and 
sunrise.  The  next  morning  many  birds  were  in  sight,  from 
which  fact  Columbus  believed  himself  quite  near  the  Azores, 
while  the  pilots  fancied  they  were  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of 
Madeira.  The  following  day  the  wind  was  less  favorable, 
though  strong,  and  a  heavy  sea  had  got  up.  The  properties  of 
the  little  Nina  now  showed  themselves  to  advantage,  for,  ere 
the  turn  of  the  day,  she  had  to  contend  with  such  a  struggle  of 
the  elements,  as  few  in  her  had  ever  before  witnessed.  For- 
tunately, all  that  consummate  seamanship  could  devise  to  ren- 
der her  safe  and  comfortable  had  been  done,  and  she  was  in  as 
perfect  a  state  of  preparation  for  a  tempest,  as  circumstances 
would  allow.  The  only  essential  defect  was  her  unusual  light- 
ness, since,  most  of  her  stores  as  well  as  her  water  being  nearly 
exhausted,  her  draught  of  water  was  materially  less  than  it 
should  have  been.  The  caravel  was  so  small,  that  this  circum- 
stance, which  is  of  little  consequence  to  the  safety  of  large  ves- 
sels, got  to  be  one  of  consideration  in  a  craft  whose  means  of 
endurance  did  not  place  her  above  the  perils  of  squalls.  The 
reader  will  understand  the  distinction  better  when  he  is  told 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE,  411 

that  ships  of  size  can  only  lose  their  spars  by  sudden  gusts  of 
wind,  seldom  being  thrown  on  their  beam  ends,  as  it  is  termed, 
unless  by  the  power  of  the  waves  ;  whereas,  smaller  craft  incur 
the  risk  of  being  capsized,  when  the  spread  of  their  canvas  is 
disproportioned  to  their  stability.  Although  the  seamen  of  the 
Nina  perceived  this  defect  in  their  caravel,  which,  in  a  great 
measure,  proceeded  from  the  consumption  of  the  fresh  water, 
they  hoped  so  soon  to  gain  a  haven,  that  no  means  had  been 
taken  to  remedy  the  evil. 

Such  was  the  state  of  things,  as  the  sun  set  on  the  night  of  the 
12th  of  February,  1493.  As  usual,  Columbus  was  on  the  poop, 
vessels  of  all  sizes  then  carrying  these  clumsy  excrescences, 
though  this  of  the  Nina  was  so  small  as  scarcely  to  deserve  the 
name.  Luis  was  at  his  side,  and  both  watched  the  aspect  of  the 
heavens  and  the  ocean  in  grave  silence.  Never  before  had  our 
hero  seen  the  elements  in  so  great  commotion,  and  the  ad- 
miral had  just  remarked  that  even  he  had  not  viewed  many 
nights  as  threatening.  There  is  a  solemnity  about  a  sunset  at 
sea,  when  the  clouds  appear  threatening,  and  the  omens  of  a 
storm  are  brooding,  that  is  never  to  be  met  with  on  the  land. 
The  loneliness  of  a  ship,  struggling  through  a  waste  of  dreary- 
looking  water,  contributes  to  the  influence  of  the  feelings  that 
are  awakened,  as  there  appears  to  be  but  one  object  on  which 
the  wild  efforts  of  the  storm  can  expend  themselves.  All  else 
seem  to  be  in  unison  to  aid  the  general  strife  ;  ocean,  heavens, 
and  the  air,  being  alike  accessories  in  the  murky  picture.  When 
the  wintry  frowns  of  February  are  thrown  around  all,  the  gloomy 
hues  of  the  scene  are  deepened  to  their  darkest  tints. 

"  This  is  a  brooding  night-fall,  Don  Luis,"  Columbus  remark- 
ed, just  as  the  last  rays  that  the  sun  cast  upward  on  the  stormy- 
looking  clouds  disappeared  from  their  ragged  outlines — "I  have 
rarely  seen  another  as  menacing." 

"  One  has  a  double  confidence  in  the  care  of  God,  while  sail- 
ing under  your  guidance,  Senior ;  first  in  his  goodness,  and  next 
in  the  knowledge  of  his  agent's  skilfulness. " 

"  The  power  of  the  Almighty  is   sufficient   to    endue  the 


412  MEKCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

feeblest  mortal  with,  all  fitting  skill,  when  it  is  his  divine  will  to 
spare ;  or  to  rob  the  most  experienced  of  their  knowledge,  when 
his  anger  can  only  be  appeased  by  the  worldly  destruction  of 
his  creatures." 

"  You  look  upon  the  night  as  portentous,  Don  Christopher  !" 

"I  have  seen  omens  as  ill,  though  very  seldom.  Had  not 
the  caravel  this  burdensome  freight,  I  might  view  our  situation 
less  anxiously." 

"You  surprise  me,  sir  Admiral!  the  pilots  have  regretted 
that  our  bark  is  so  light." 

"True,  as  to  material  substance;  but  it  beareth  a  cargo  of 
knowledge,  Luis,  that  it  would  be  grievous  to  see  wasted  on 
these  vacant  waters.  Dost  thou  not  perceive  how  fast  and 
gloomily  the  curtain  of  night  gathereth  about  us,  and  the  man- 
ner in  which  the  Nina  is  rapidly  getting  to  be  our  whole  world? 
Even  the  Pinta  is  barely  distinguishable,  like  a  shapeless 
shadow  on  the  foaming  billows,  serving  rather  as  a  beacon  to 
warn  us  of  our  own  desolation,  than  as  a  consort  to  cheer  us 
with  her  presence  and  companionship." 

"  I  have  never  known  you  thus  moody,  excellent  Senor,  on 
account  of  the  aspect  of  the  weather !" 

"  'Tis  not  usual  with  me,  young  lord ;  but  my  heart  is  loaded 
with  its  glorious  secret.  Behold ! — dost  thou  remark  that 
further  sign  of  the  warring  of  the  elements  ?" 

The  admiral,  as  he  spoke,  was  standing  with  his  face  toward 
Spain,  while  his  companion's  gaze  was  fastened  on  the  porten- 
tous-looking horizon  of  the  west,  around  which  still  lingered 
sufficient  light  to  render  its  frowns  as  chilling  as  they  were  visi- 
ble. He  had  not  seen  the  change  that  drew  the  remark  from 
Columbus,  but,  turning  quickly,  he  asked  an  explanation. 
Notwithstanding  the  season,  the  horizon  at  the  north-east  had 
been  suddenly  illuminated  by  a  flash  of  lightning,  and  even 
while  the  admiral  was  relating  the  fact,  and  pointing  out  the 
quarter  of  the  heavens  in  which  the  phenomenon  had  appeared, 
two  more  flashes  followed  each  other  in  quick  succession. 

"  Senor  Vicente" — called  out  Columbus,  leaning  forward  in 


MERCEDES      OF     CASTILE.  413 

a  way  to  overlook  a  group  of  dusky  figures  that  was  collected 
on  the  half-deck  beneath  him — "  Is  Senor  Vicente  Yanez  of 
your  number  ?" 

"  I  am  here,  Don  Christopher,  and  note  the  omen.  It  is  the 
sign  of  even  more  wind." 

"  We  shall  be  visited  with  a  tempest,  worthy  Vicente  ;  and  it 
will  come  from  that  quarter  of  the  heavens,  or  its  opposite. 
Have  we  made  all  sure  in  the  caravel?" 

"  I  know  not  what  else  is  to  be  done,  Senor  Almirante. 
Our  canvas  is  at  the  lowest,  every  thing  is  well  lashed,  and 
we  carry  as  little  aloft  as  can  be  spared.  Sancho  Euiz,  look 
you  to  the  tarpaulings,  lest  we  ship  more  water  than  will  be 
safe." 

"  Look  well  to  our  light,  too,  that  our  consort  may  not  part 
from  us  in  the  darkness.  This  is  no  time  for  sleep,  Vicente — 
place  your  most  trusty  men  at  the  tiller." 

"  Senor,  they  are  selected  with  care.  Sancho  Mundo,  and 
young  Pepe  of  Moguer,  do  that  duty,  at  present ;  others  as 
skilled  await  to  relieve  them,  when  their  watch  ends." 

"  'Tis  well,  good  Pinzon — neither  you  nor  I  can  close  an  eye 
to-night." 

The  precautions  of  Columbus  were  not  uncalled-for.  About 
an  hour  after  the  unnatural  flashes  of  lightning  had  been  seen, 
the  wind  rose  from  the  south-west,  favorably  as  to  direction, 
but  fearfully  as  to  force.  Notwithstanding  his  strong  desire  to 
reach  port,  the  admiral  found  it  prudent  to  order  the  solitary 
sail  that  was  set,  to  be  taken  in ;  and  most  of  the  night  the 
two  caravels  drove  before  the  gale,  under  bare  poles,  heading 
to  the  north-east.  We  say  both,  for  Martin  Alonzo,  practised 
as  he  was  in  stormy  seas,  and  disposed  as  he  was  to  act  only 
for  himself,  now  the  great  problem  was  solved,  kept  the  Pinta 
so  near  the  Nina,  that  few  minutes  passed  without  her  being 
seen  careering  on  the  summit  of  a  foaming  sea,  or  settling 
bodily  into  the  troughs,  as  she  drove  headlong  before  the 
tempest ;  keeping  side  by  side  with  her  consort,  however,  as 
man  clings  to  man  in  moments  of  dependency  and  peril 
IS 


411  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

Thus  passed  the  night  of  the  13th,  the  day  bringing  with  it 
a  more  vivid  picture  of  the  whole  scene,  though  it  was  thought 
that  the  wind  somewhat  abated  in  its  force  as  the  sun  arose. 
Perhaps  this  change  existed  only  in  the  imaginations  of  the 
mariners,  the  light  usually  lessening  the  appearance  of  danger, 
by  enabling  men  to  face  it.  Each  caravel,  however,  set  a  little 
canvas,  and  both  went  foaming  ahead,  hurrying  toward  Spain 
with  their  unlooked-for  tidings.  As  the  day  advanced,  the 
fury  of  the  gale  sensibly  lessened ;  but  as  night  drew  on  again, 
it  returned  with  renewed  force,  more  adverse,  and  compelling 
the  adventurers  to  take  in  every  rag  of  sail  they  had  ventured 
to  spread.  Nor  was  this  the  worst.  The  caravels,  by  this 
time,  had  driven  up  into  a  tract  of  ocean  where  a  heavy  cross- 
sea  was  raging,  the  effects  of  some  other  gale  that  had  recently 
blown  from  a  different  quarter.  Both  vessels  struggled  man- 
fully to  lay  up  to  their  course,  under  these  adverse  circum- 
stances ;  but  they  began  to  labor  in  a  way  to  excite  uneasiness 
in  those  who  comprehended  the  fullest  powers  of  the  machines, 
and  who  knew  whence  the  real  sources  of  danger  were  derived. 
As  night  approached,  Columbus  perceived  that  the  Pinta  could 
not  maintain  her  ground,  the  strain  on  her  after-mast  proving 
too  severe  to  be  borne,  even  without  an  inch  of  canvas  spread. 
Keluctantly  did  he  order  the  Nina  to  edge  away  toward  her 
consort,  separation,  at  such  a  moment,  being  the  evil  next  to 
positive  destruction. 

In  this  manner  the  night  of  the  14th  drew  around  our  lone 
and  sea-girt  adventurers.  "What  had  been  merely  menace  and 
omens  the  previous  night,  were  now  a  dread  reality.  Colum- 
bus, himself,  declared  he  had  never  known  a  bark  to  buffet 
a  more  furious  tempest,  nor  did  he  affect  to  conceal  from  Luis 
the  extent  of  his  apprehensions.  "With  the  pilots,  and  before 
the  crew,  he  was  serene,  and  even  cheerful;  but  when  alone 
with  our  hero,  he  became  frank  and  humble.  Still  was  the 
celebrated  navigator  always  calm  and  firm.  No  unmanly  com- 
plaint escaped  him,  though  his  very  soul  was  saddened  at  the 
danger  his  great  discoveries  ran  of  being  forever  lost. 


MERCEDES      OF     CASTILE.  4i5 

Sucli  was  the  state  of  feeling  that  prevailed  with  the  admiral, 
as  he  sat  in  his  narrow  cabin,  in  the  first  hours  of  that  appalling 
night,  watching  for  any  change,  relieving  or  disastrous,  that 
might  occur.  The  howling  of  the  winds,  which  fairly  scooped 
up,  from  the  surface  of  the  raging  Atlantic,  the  brine  in  sheets, 
was  barely  audible  amid  the  roar  and  rush  of  the  waters.  At 
times,  indeed,  when  the  caravel  sunk  helplessly  between  two 
huge  waves,  the  fragment  of  sail  she  still  carried  would  flap, 
and  the  air  seemed  hushed  and  still ;  and  then,  again,  as  the 
buoyant  machine  struggled  upward,  like  a  drowning  man  who 
gains  the  surface  by  frantic  efforts,  it  would  seem  as  if  the 
columns  of  air  were  about  to  bear  her  off  before  them,  as  light- 
ly as  the  driving  spray.  Even  Luis,  albeit  little  apt  to  take 
alarm,  felt  that  their  situation  was  critical,  and  his  constitu- 
tional buoyancy  of  spirits  had  settled  down  in  a  thoughtful 
gravity,  that  was  unusual  with  him.  Had  a  column  of  a  thou- 
sand hostile  Moors  stood  before  our  hero,  he  would  have 
thought  rather  of  the  means  of  overturning  it  than  of  escape  ; 
but  this  warring  of  the  elements  admitted  of  no  such  relief.  It 
appeared  actually  like  contending  with  the  Almighty.  In  such 
scenes,  indeed,  the  bravest  find  no  means  of  falling  back  on  their 
resolution  and  intrepidity ;  for  the  efforts  of  man  seem  insignifi- 
cant and  bootless  as  opposed  to  the  will  and  power  of  God. 

u,Tis  a  wild  night,  Senor,"  our  hero  observed  calmly,  pre- 
serving an  exterior  of  more  unconcern  than  he  really  felt.  "To 
me  this  surpasseth  all  I  have  yet  witnessed  of  the  fury  of  a 
tempest." 

Columbus  sighed  heavily ;  then  he  removed  his  hands  from 
his  face,  and  glanced  about  him,  as  if  in  search  of  the  imple- 
ments he  wanted. 

"  Count  of  Llera,"  he  answered,  with  dignity,  "  there  re- 
maineth  a  solemn  duty  to  perform.  There  is  parchment  in  the 
draw  on  your  side  of  this  table,  and  here  are  the  instruments 
for  writing.  Let  us  acquit  ourselves  of  this  important  trust 
while  time  is  yet  mercifully  given  us,  God  alone  knowing  how 
long  we  have  to  live." 


416  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

Luis  did  not  blanch  at  these  portentous  words,  but  he  looked 
earnest  and  grave.  Opening  the  draw,  he  took  out  the  parch- 
ment and  laid  it  upon  the  table.  The  admiral  now  seized  a 
pen,  beckoning  to  his  companion  to  take  another,  and  both 
commenced  writing  as  well  as  the  incessant  motion  of  the  light 
caravel  would  allow.  The  task  was  arduous,  but  it  was  clearly 
executed.  As  Columbus  wrote  a  sentence,  he  repeated  it  to 
Luis,  who  copied  it  word  for  word,  on  his  own  piece  of  parch- 
ment. The  substance  of  this  record  was  the  fact  of  the  discov- 
eries made,  the  latitude  and  longitude  of  Espanola,  with  the 
relative  positions  of  the  other  islands,  and  a  brief  account  of 
what  he  had  seen.  The  letter  was  directed  to  Ferdinand  and 
Isabella.  As  soon  as  each  had  completed  his  account,  the  ad- 
miral carefully  enveloped  his  missive  in  a  covering  of  waxed 
cloth,  Luis  imitating  him  in  all  things.  Each  then  took  a  large 
cake  of  wax,  and  scooping  a  hole  in  it,  the  packet  was  carefully 
secured  in  the  interior,  when  it  was  covered  with  the  substance 
that  had  been  removed.  Columbus  now  sent  for  the  cooper  of 
the  vessel,  who  was  directed  to  inclose  each  cake  in  a  separate 
barrel.  These  vessels  abound  in  ships  ;  and,  ere  many  minutes, 
the  two  letters  were  securely  inclosed  in  the  empty  casks.  Each 
taking  a  barrel,  the  admiral  and  our  hero  now  appeared  again 
on  the  half-deck.  So  terrific  was  the  night  that  no  one  slept, 
and  most  of  the  people  of  the  Nina,  men  as  well  as  officers, 
were  crowded  together  on  the  gratings  near  the  main-mast, 
where  alone,  with  the  exception  of  the  still  more  privileged 
places,  they  considered  themselves  safe  from  being  swept  over- 
board. Indeed,  even  here  they  were  constantly  covered  with 
the  wash  of  the  sea,  the  poop  itself  not  being  protected  from 
rude  visits  of  this  nature. 

As  soon  as  the  admiral  was  seen  again,  his  followers  crowded 
round  him,  solicitous  to  hear  his  opinion,  and  anxious  to  learn 
his  present  object.  To  have  told  the  truth  would  have  been  to 
introduce  despair  where  hope  had  already  nearly  ceased ;  and, 
merely  intimating  that  he  performed  a  religious  vow,  Columbus, 
with  his  own  hands,  cast  his  barrel  into  the  hissing  ocean.    That 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  417 

of  Luis  was  placed  upon  the  poop,  in  the  expectation  that  it 
would  float,  should  the  caravel  sink. 

Three  centuries  and  a  half  have  rolled  by  since  Columbus 
took  this  wise  precaution,  and  no  tidings  have  ever  been  ob- 
tained of  that  cask.  Its  buoyancy  was  such  that  it  might  con- 
tinue to  float  for  ages.  Covered  with  barnacles,  it  may  still  be 
drifting  about  the  waste  of  waters,  pregnant  with  its  mighty 
revelations.  It  is  possible,  it  may  have  been  repeatedly  rolled 
upon  some  sandy  beach,  and  as  frequently  swept  off  again ;  and 
it  may  have  been  passed  unheeded  on  a  thousand  occasions,  by 
different  vessels,  confounded  with  its  vulgar  fellows  that  are  so 
often  seen  drifting  about  the  ocean.  Had  it  been  found,  it 
would  have  been  opened ;  and  had  it  been  opened  by  any  civ- 
ilized man,  it  is  next  to  impossible  that  an  occurrence  of  so 
much  interest  should  have  been  totally  lost. 

This  duty  discharged,  the  admiral  had  leisure  to  look  about 
him.  The  darkness  was  now  so  great,  that,  but  for  the  little 
light  that  was  disengaged  from  the  troubled  water,  it  would 
have  been  difficult  to  distinguish  objects  at  the  length  of 
the  caravel.  No  one,  who  has  merely  been  at  sea  in  a  tall 
ship,  can  form  any  just  idea  of  the  situation  of  the  Nina.  This 
vessel,  little  more  than  a  large  felucca,  had  actually  sailed  from 
Spain  with  the  latine  rig,  that  is  so  common  to  the  light  coasters 
of  southern  Europe ;  a  rig  that  had  only  been  altered  in  the 
Canaries.  As  she  floated  in  a  bay,  or  a  river,  her  height  above 
the  water  could  not  have  exceeded  four  or  five  feet,  and  now 
that  she  was  struggling  with  a  tempest,  in  a  cross  sea,  and  pre- 
cisely in  that  part  of  the  Atlantic  where  the  rake  of  the  winds  is 
the  widest,  and  the  tumult  of  the  waters  the  greatest,  it  seemed 
as  if  she  were  merely  some  aquatic  animal,  that  occasionally 
rose  to  the  surface  to  breathe.  There  were  moments  when  the 
caravel  appeared  to  be  irretrievably  sinking  into  the  abyss  of 
the  ocean ;  huge  black  mounds  of  water  rising  around  her  in  all 
directions,  the  confusion  in  the  waves  having  destroyed  all  the 
ordinary  symmetry  of  the  rolling  billows.  Although  so  much 
figurative  language  has  been  used,  in  speaking  of  mountainous 


418  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

waves,  it  would  not  be  exceeding  the  literal  truth  to  add7  that 
the  Nina's  yards  were  often  below  the  summits  of  the  adjacent 
seas,  which  were  tossed  upward  in  so  precipitous  a  manner,  as 
to  create  a  constant  apprehension  of  their  falling  in  cataracts  on 
her  gratings;  for  mid-ship-deck,  strictly  speaking,  she  had  none. 
This,  indeed,  formed  the  great  source  of  danger  ;  since  one  fall- 
ing wave  might  have  filled  the  little  vessel,  and  carried  herewith 
all  in  her,  hopelessly  to  the  bottom.  As  it  was,  the  crests  of  seas 
were  constantly  tumbling  inboard,  or  shooting  athwart  the  hull 
of  the  caravel,  in  sheets  of  glittering  foam,  though  happily, 
never  with  sufficient  power  to  overwhelm  the  buoyant  fabric. 
At  such  perilous  instants,  the  safety  of  the  craft  depended  on  the 
frail  tarpaulings.  Had  these  light  coverings  given  way,  two  or 
three  successive  waves  would  infallibly  have  so  far  filled  the 
hold,  as  to  render  the  hull  water-logged ;  when  the  loss  of  the 
vessel  would  have  followed  as  an  inevitable  consequence. 

The  admiral  had  ordered  Vicente  Yaiiez  to  carry  the  foresail 
close  reefed,  in  the  hope  of  dragging  the  caravel  through  this  chaos 
of  waters,  to  a  part  of  the  ocean  where  the  waves  ran  more  reg- 
ularly. The  general  direction  of  the  seas,  too,  so  far  as  they 
could  be  said  to  have  a  general  direction  at  all,  had  been  re- 
spected, and  the  Nina  had  struggled  onward — it  might  be  better 
to  say,  waded  onward — some  five  or  six  leagues,  since  the  dis- 
appearance of  the  day,  and  found  no  change.  It  was  getting  to 
be  near  midnight-,  and  still  the  surface  of  the  ocean  presented 
the  same  wild  aspect  of  chaotic  confusion.  Vicente  Yanez  ap- 
proached the  admiral,  and  declared  that  the  bark  could  no 
longer  bear  the  rag  of  sail  she  carried. 

"  The  jerk,  as  we  rise  on  the  sea,  goes  near  to  pull  the  stern 
out  of  the  craft,"  he  said;  "  and  the  backward  flap,  as  we  settle 
into  the  troughs,  is  almost  as  menacing.  The  Nina  will  bear 
the  canvas  no  longer,  with  safety." 

"Who  has  seen  aught  of  Martin  Alonzo  within  the  hour?" 
demanded  Columbus,  looking  anxiously  in  the  direction  in 
which  the  Pinta  ought  to  be  visible.  "  Thou  hast  lowered  the 
lantern,  Vicente  Yanez." 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  419 

"It  would  stand  the  hurricane  no  longer.  From  time  to  timo 
it  hath  been  shown,  and  each  signal  hath  been  answered  by  my 
brother." 

"  Let  it  be  shown  once  more.  This  is  a  moment  when  the 
presence  of  a  friend  gladdens  the  soul,  even  though  he  be  help- 
less as  ourselves." 

The  lantern  was  hoisted,  and,  after  a  steady  gaze,  a  faint  and 
distant  light  was  seen  glimmering  in  the  rack  of  the  tempest. 
The  experiment  was  repeated,  at  short  intervals,  and  as  often 
wras  the  signal  answered,  at  increasing  distances,  until  the  light 
of  their  consort  was  finally  lost  altogether. 

"  The  Pinta's  mast  is  too  feeble  to  bear  even  its  gear,  in  such 
a  gale,"  observed  Vicente  Yancz  ;  "  and  my  brother  hath 
found  it  impossible  to  keep  as  near  the  wind  as  we  have  done. 
He  goes  off  more  to  leeward." 

"  Let  the  foresail  be  secured,"  answered  Columbus,  "  as  thou 
say'st.  Our  feeble  craft  can  no  longer  bear  these  violent 
surges." 

Vicente  Yanez  now  mustered  a  few  of  his  ablest  men,  and 
went  forward  himself  to  see  this  order  executed.  At  the  same 
moment  the  helm  was  righted,  and  the  caravel  slowly  fell  off, 
until  she  got  dead  before  the  gale.  The  task  of  gathering  in 
the  canvas  was  comparatively  easy,  the  yard  being  but  a  few 
feet  above  the  deck,  and  little  besides  the  clews  being  exposed.  ' 
Still  it  required  men  of  the  firmest  nerve  and  the  readiest  hands 
to  venture  aloft  at  such  an  instant.  Sancho  took  one  side  of  the 
mast  and  Pepe  the  other,  both  manifesting  such  qualities  as 
mark  the  perfect  seaman  only. 

The  caravel  was  now  drifting  at  the  mercy  of  the  winds  and 
waves,  the  term  scudding  being  scarcely  applicable  to  the  mo- 
tion of  a  vessel  so  low,  and  which  was  so  perfectly  sheltered 
from  the  action  of  the  wind  by  the  height  of  the  billows.  Had 
the  latter  possessed  their  ordinary  regularity,  the  low  vessel 
must  have  been  pooped ;  but,  in  a  measure,  her  exemption  from 
this  calamity  was  owing  to  an  irregularity  that  was  only  the 
source  of  a  new  danger.     Still,  the  Nina  drove  ahead,  and  that 


120  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

swiftly,  though  not  with  the  velocity  necessary  to  outstrip  the 
chasing  water,  had  the  waves  followed  with  their  customary 
order  and  regularity.  The  cross  seas  defeated  this ;  wave 
meeting  wave,  actually  sending  those  crests,  which  otherwise 
would  have  rolled  over  in  combing  foam,  upward  in  terrific 
jets  <Teau. 

This  was  the  crisis  of  the  danger.  There  was  an  hour  when 
the  caravel  careered  amid  the  chaotic  darkness  with  a  sort  of 
headlong  fury,  not  unfrequently  dashing  forward  with  her  broad- 
side to  the  sea,  as  if  the  impatient  stern  was  bent  on  overtaking 
the  stem,  and  exposing  all  to  the  extreme  jeopardy  of  receiving 
a  flood  of  water  on  the  beam.  This  imminent  risk  was  only 
averted  by  the  activity  of  the  man  at  the  helm,  where  Sancho 
toiled  with  all  his  skill  and  energy,  until  the  sweat  rolled  from 
his  brow,  as  if  exposed  again  to  the  sun  of  the  tropics.  At 
length  the  alarm  became  so  great  and  general,  that  a  common 
demand  was  made  to  the  admiral  to  promise  the  customary  re- 
ligious oblations.  For  this  purpose,  all  but  the  men  at  the  helm 
assembled  aft,  and  preparations  were  made  to  cast  lots  for  the 
penance. 

"  Ye  are  in  the  hands  of  God,  my  friends,"  said  Columbus, 
"  and  it  is  meet  that  ye  all  confess  your  dependence  on  his  good- 
ness, placing  your  security  on  his  blessings  and  favor  alone.  In 
this  cap  which  ye  see  in  the  hands  of  the  Senor  de  Munos,  are 
the  same  number  of  peas  that  we  are  of  persons.  One  of  these 
peas  bears  the  mark  of  the  Holy  Cross,  and  he  who  shall  draw 
forth  this  blessed  emblem,  stands  pledged  to  make  a  pilgrimage 
to  Santa  Maria  de  Gaudalupe,  bearing  a  waxen  taper  of  five 
pounds  weight.  As  the  chiefest  sinner  among  you,  no  less 
than  as  your  admiral,  the  first  trial  shall  be  mine." 

Here  Columbus  put  his  hand  into  the  cap,  and  on  drawing 
forth  a  pea,  and  holding  it  to  the  lantern,  it  was  found  to  bear 
on  its  surface  the  mark  he  had  mentioned. 

"  This  is  well,  Senor,"  said  one  of  the  pilots;  "but  replace 
the  pea,  and  let  the  chance  be  renewed  for  a  still  heavier  pen- 
ance, and  that  at  a  shrine  which  is  most  in  request  with  all  good 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  421 

Christians  ;  I  mean  that  of  onr  Lady  of  Loretto.  One  pilgrim- 
age to  that  shrine  is  worth  two  to  any  other." 

In  moments  of  emergency,  the  religious  sentiment  is  apt  to 
be  strong ;  and  this  proposition  was  seconded  with  warmth. 
The  admiral  cheerfully  consented ;  and  when  all  had  drawn,  the 
marked  pea  was  found  in  the  hands  of  a  common  seaman,  of 
the  name  of  Pedro  de  Villa ;  one  who  bore  no  very  good  name 
for  either  piety  or  knowledge. 

"'Tis  a  weary  and  costly  journey,"  grumbled  the  chosen 
penitent,  "  and  cannot  cheaply  be  made." 

"Heed  it  not,  friend  Pedro,"  answered  Columbus  ;  "the  bod- 
ily pains  shall  limit  thy  sufferings,  for  the  cost  of  the  journey 
shall  be  mine.  This  night  groweth  more  and  more  terrific,  good 
Bartolemeo  Roldan." 

"  That  doth  it,  Senor  Admiral,  and  I  am  little  content  with 
such  a  pilgrim  as  Pedro  here,  although  it  may  seem  as  if  heaven 
itself  directed  the  choice.  A  mass  in  Santa  Clara  de  Moguer, 
with  a  watcher  all  night  in  that  chapel,  will  be  of  more  account 
than  your  distant  journeys  made  by  such  an  one  as  he." 

This  opinion  wanted  not  for  supporters  among  the  seamen  of 
Moguer,  and  a  third  trial  was  made  to  determine  the  person. 
Again  the  pea  was  withdrawn  from  the  cap  by  the  admiral. 
Still  the  clanger  did  not  diminish,  the  caravel  actually  threaten- 
ing to  roll  over  amid  the  turbulence  of  the  waves. 

"We  are  too  light,  Vicente  Yanez,"  said  Columbus,  "and, 
desperate  as  the  undertaking  seemeth,  we  must  make  as 
effort  to  fill  our  empty  casks  with  sea-water.  Let  hose  be 
carefully  introduced  beneath  the  tarpaulings,  and  send  careful 
hands  below  to  make  sure  that  the  water  does  not  get  into  the 
hold  instead  of  the  casks." 

This  order  was  obeyed,  and  several  hours  passed  in  efforts  to 
execute  this  duty.  The  great  difficulty  was  in  protecting  the 
men  who  raised  the  water  from  the  sea,  for,  while  the  whole 
element  was  raging  in  such  confusion  around  them,  it  was  no 
easy  matter  to  secure  a  single  drop  in  a  useful  manner.  Patience 
and  perseverance,  however,  prevailed  in  the  end,  and,  ere  the 


422 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 


light  returned,  so  many  empty  casks  had  been  filled,  as  evident- 
ly to  aid  the  steadiness  of  the  vessel.  Toward  morning  it 
rained  in  torrents,  and  the  wind  shifted  from  south  to  west, 
losing  but  little  of  its  force,  however.  At  this  juncture  the 
foresail  was  again  got  on  the  bark,  and  she  was  dragged  by 
it,  through  a  tremendous  sea,  a  few  miles  to  the  eastward. 

When  the  day  dawned,  the  scene  was  changed  for  the 
better.  The  Pinta  was  nowhere  to  be  seen,  and  most  in  the 
Nina  believed  she  had  gone  to  the  bottom.  But  the  clouds 
had  opened  a  little,  and  a  sort  of  mystical  brightness  rested  on 
the  ocean,  which  was  white  with  foam,  and  still  hissing  with 
fury.  The  waves,  however,  were  gradually  getting  to  be  more 
regular,  and  the  seamen  no  longer  found  it  necessary  to  lash 
themselves  to  the  vessel,  in  order  to  prevent  being  washed  over- 
board. Additional  sail  was  got  on  the  caravel,  and,  as  her  mo- 
tion ahead  increased,  she  became  steadier,  and  more  certain  in 
all  her  movements. 


MERCEDES      OF     CASTILE.  423 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

"For  now,  from  sight  of  land  diverted  clear, 
They  drove  uncertain  o'er  the  pathless  deep  ; 
Nor  gave  the  adverse  gale  due  course  to  steer, 
Nor  durst  they  the  design'd  direction  keep : 
The  gathering  tempest  quickly  raged  so  high, 
The  wave-encompass1d  boat  but  faintly  reach'd  my  eye." 

Vision  of  Patience. 

Such  was  the  state  of  things  on  the  morning  of  the  15th,  and 
shortly  after  the  sun  arose,  the  joyful  cry  of  land  was  heard 
from  aloft.  It  is  worthy  of  being  mentioned  that  this  land  was 
made  directly  ahead,  so  accurate  were  all  the  admiral's  calcula- 
tions, and  so  certain  did  he  feel  of  his  position  on  the  chart. 
A  dozen  opinions,  however,  prevailed  among  the  pilots  and 
people  concerning  this  welcome  sight ;  some  fancying  it  the 
continent  of  Europe,  while  others  believed  it  to  be  Madeira. 
Columbus,  himself,  publicly  announced  it  to  be  one  of  the 
Azores. 

Each  hour  was  lessening  the  distance  between  this  welcome 
spot  of  earth  and  the  adventurers,  when  the  gale  chopped  di- 
rectly round,  bringing  the  island  dead  to  windward.  Through- 
out a  long  and  weary  day  the  little  bark  kept  turning  up 
against  the  storm,  in  order  to  reach  this  much-desired  haven, 
but  the  heaviness  of  the  swell  and  the  foul  wind  made  their 
progress  both  slow  and  painful.  The  sun  set  in  wintry  gloom, 
again,  and  the  land  still  lay  in  the  wrong  quarter,  and  appar- 
ently at  a  distance  that  was  unattainable.  Hour  after  hour 
passed,  and  still,  in  the  darkness,  the  Nina  was  struggling  to 
get  nearer  to  the  spot  where  the  land  had  been  seen.  Colum- 
bus never  left  his  post  throughout  all  these  anxious  scenes,  for 


424  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE, 

to  him  it  seemed  as  if  the  fortunes  of  his  discoveries  were  now 
suspended,  as  it  might  be,  by  a  hair.  Our  hero  was  less 
watchful,  but  even  he  began  to  feel  more  anxiety  in  the  result, 
as  the  moment  approached  when  the  fate  of  the  expedition  was 
to  be  decided. 

As  the  sun  arose,  every  eye  turned  inquiringly  around  the 
watery  view,  and,  to  the  common  disappointment,  no  land  was 
visible.  Some  fancied  all  had  been  illusion,  but  the  admiral  be- 
lieved they  had  passed  the  island  in  the  darkness,  and  he  hove 
about,  with  a  view  to  stand  further  south.  This  change  in  the 
course  had  not  been  made  more  than  an  hour  or  two,  when 
land  was  again  dimly  seen  astern,  and  in  a  quarter  where  it 
could  not  have  been  previously  perceived.  For  this  island  the 
caravel  tacked,  and  until  dark  she  was  beating  up  for  it,  against 
a  strong  gale  and  a  heavy  sea.  Night  again  drew  around  her, 
and  the  land  once  more  vanished  in  the  gloom. 

At  the  usual  hour  of  the  previous  night,  the  people  of  the 
Nina  had  assembled  to  chant  the  salve  fac,  regina,  or  the  even- 
ing hymn  to  the  Virgin,  for  it  is  one  of  the  touching  incidents 
of  this  extraordinary  voyage,  that  these  rude  sailors  first  car- 
ried with  them  into  the  unknown  wastes  of  the  Atlantic  the 
songs  of  their  religion,  and  the  Christian's  prayers.  While 
thus  employed,  a  light  had  been  made  to  leeward,  which  was 
supposed  to  be  on  the  island  first  seen,  thus  encouraging  the 
admiral  in  his  belief  that  he  was  in  the  centre  of  a  group,  and 
that  by  keeping  well  to  windward,  he  would  certainly  find 
himself  in  a  situation  to  reach  a  port  in  the  morning.  That 
morning,  however,  had  produced  no  other  change  than  the  one 
noted,  and  he  was  now  preparing  to  pass  another  night,  or  that 
of  the  17th,  in  uncertainty,  when  the  cry  of  land  ahead  sudden- 
ly cheered  the  spirits  of  all  in  the  vessel. 

The  Nina  stood  boldly  in,  and  oefore  midnight  she  was  near 
enough  to  the  shore  to  let  go  an  anchor ;  so  heavy  were  both 
wind  and  sea,  however,  that  the  cable  parted,  thus  rejecting 
them,  as  it  were,  from  the  regions  to  which  they  properly  be- 
longed.     Sail  was   made,  and  the  effort  to  get  to  windward 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  425 

renewed,  and  by  daylight  the  caravel  was  enabled  to  run  in  and 
get  an  anchorage  on  the  north  side  of  the  island.  Here  the 
wearied  and  almost  exhausted  mariners  learned  that  Columbus 
was  right,  as  usual,  and  that  they  had  reached  the  island  of  St. 
Mary,  one  of  the  Azores. 

It  does  not  belong  to  this  tale  to  record  all  the  incidents  that 
occurred  while  the  Nina  lay  at  this  port.  They  embraced  an 
attempt  to  seize  the  caravel,  on  the  part  of  the  Portuguese, 
who,  as  they  had  been  the  last  to  harass  the  admiral  on  his 
departure  from  the  old  world,  were  the  first  to  beset  him  on 
his  return.  All  their  machinations  failed,  however,  and  after 
having  the  best  portion  of  his  crew  in  their  power,  and  actually 
having  once  sailed  from  the  island  without  the  men,  the  admi- 
ral finally  arranged  the  matter,  and  took  his  departure  for  Spain, 
with  all  his  people  on  board,  on  the  24th  of  the  month. 

Providence  seemed  to  favor  the  passage  of  the  adventurers, 
for  the  first  few  days ;  the  wind  being  favorable  and  the  sea 
smooth.  Between  the  morning  of  the  24th  and  the  evening 
of  the  26th,  the  caravel  had  made  nearly  a  hundred  leagues 
directly  on  her  course  to  Palos,  when  she  was  met  by  a  foul 
wind  and  another  heavy  sea.  The  gale  now  became  violent 
again,  though  sufficiently  favorable  to  allow  them  to  steer  east, 
a  little  northerly,  occasionally  hauling  more  ahead.  The  weath- 
er was  rough,  but  as  the  admiral  knew  he  was  drawing  in 
with  the  continent  of  Europe,  he  did  not  complain,  cheering  his 
people  with  the  hopes  of  a  speedy  arrival.  In  this  manner  the 
time  passed  until  the  turn  of  the  day,  Saturday,  March  2d,  when 
Columbus  believed  himself  to  be  within  a  hundred  miles  of  the 
coast  of  Portugal,  the  long  continuance  of  the  scant  southerly 
winds  having  set  him  thus  far  north. 

The  night  commenced  favorably,  the  caravel  struggling  ahead 
through  a  tremendous  sea  that  was  sweeping  down  from  the 
south,  having  the  wind  abeam,  blowing  so  fresh  as  to  cause  the 
sails  to  be  reduced  within  manageable  size.  The  Nina  was  an 
excellent  craft,  as  had  been  thoroughly  proved,  and  she  was  now 
steadier  than  when  first  assailed  by  the  tempests,  her  pilots  hav- 


426  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

ing  filled  still  more  of  the  casks  than  they  had  been  able  to  do 
during  the  late  storm. 

"  Thou  hast  lived  at  the  helm,  Sancho  Mundo,  since  the  late 
gales  commenced,"  said  the  admiral,  cheerfully,  as,  about  the 
last  hour  of  the  first  watch,  he  passed  near  the  post  of  the  old 
mariner.  "It  is  no  small  honor  to  hold  that  station  in  the 
cruel  gales  we  have  been  fated  to  endure." 

"  I  so  consider  it,  Senor  Don  Almirante  ;  and  I  hope  their 
illustrious  and  most  excellent  Highnesses,  the  two  sovereigns, 
will  look  upon  it  with  the  same  eyes,  so  fer  as  the  weight  of  the 
duty  is  concerned." 

"  And  why  not  as  respects  the  honor,  friend  Sancho  ?"  put 
in  Luis,  who  had  become  a  sworn  friend  of  the  seaman,  since 
the  rescue  of  the  rocks. 

"  Honor,  Senor  Master  Pedro,  is  cold  food,  and  sits  ill  on  a 
poor  man's  stomach.  One  dobla  is  worth  two  dukedoms  to 
such  a  man  as  I  am,  since  the  dobla  would  help  to  gain  me  re- 
spect, whereas  the  dukedoms  would  only  draw  down  ridicule 
upon  my  head.  No,  no — Master  Pedro,  your  worship,  give  me 
a  pocket  full  of  gold,  and  leave  honors  to  such  as  have  a  fancy 
for  them.  If  a  man  must  be  raised  in  the  world,  begin  at  the 
beginning,  or  lay  a  solid  foundation ;  after  which  he  may  be 
made  a  knight  of  St.  James,  if  the  sovereigns  have  need  of  his 
name  to  make  out  their  list." 

"  Thou  art  too  garrulous  for  a  helmsman,  Sancho,  though  so  ex- 
cellent otherwise,"  observed  the  admiral,  gravely.  "Look  to  thy 
course  ;  doblas  will  not  be  wanting,  when  the  voyage  is  ended." 

"  Many  thanks,  Senor  Almirante  ;  and,  as  a  proof  that  my 
eyes  are  not  shut,  even  though  the  tongue  wags,  I  will  just  de- 
sire your  Excellency,  and  the  pilots,  to  study  that  rag  of  a  cloud 
that  is  gathering  up  here,  at  the  south-west,  and  ask  yourselves 
if  it  means  evil  or  good." 

"By  the  mass!  the  man  is  right,  Don  Christopher!"  ex- 
claimed Bartolemeo  Eoldan,  who  was  standing  near;  "that  is 
a  most  sinister-looking  cloud,  and  is  not  unlike  those  that  give 
birth  to  the  white  squalls  of  Africa." 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE,  427 

"See  to  it — see  to  it — good  Bartolemeo,"  returned  Colum- 
bus, hastily.  "  We  have,  indeed,  counted  too  much  on  our 
good  fortune,  and  have  culpably  overlooked  the  aspect  of  the 
heavens.  Let  Yicente  Yanez  and  all  our  people  be  called  ;  we 
may  have  need  of  them." 

Columbus  now  ascended  to  the  poop,  where  he  got  a  wider 
and  a  better  view  of  the  ocean  and  the  skies.  The  signs  were, 
indeed,  as  portentous  as  they  had  been  sudden  in  their  appear- 
ance. The  atmosphere  was  filled  with  a  white  mist,  that  resem- 
bled a  light  smoke,  and  the  admiral  had  barely  time  to  look 
about  him,  when  a  roar  that  resembled  the  trampling  of  a  thou- 
sand horses  passing  a  bridge  at  full  speed,  came  rushing  down 
with  the  wind.  The  ocean  was  heard  hissing,  as  is  usual  at 
such  moments,  and  the  tempost  burst  upon  the  little  bark,  as  if 
envious  demons  were  determined  she  should  never  reach  Spain 
with  the  glorious  tidings  she  bore. 

A  report  like  that  of  a  heavy  discharge  of  musketry,  was  the 
first  signal  that  the  squall  had  struck  the  Nina.  It  came  from 
the  rent  canvas,  every  sail  having  given  way  at  the  same  in- 
stant. The  caravel  heeled  until  the  water  reached  her  masts, 
and  there  was  a  breathless  instant,  when  the  oldest  seaman 
feared  that  she  would  be  forced  over  entirely  upon  her  side. 
Had  not  the  sails  split,  this  calamity  might  truly  have  occurred. 
Sancho,  too,  had  borne  the  tiller  up  in  season,  and  when  the 
Nina  recovered  from  the  shock,  she  almost  flew  out  of  the  wa- 
ter as  she  drove  before  the  blast. 

This  was  the  commencement  of  a  new  gale,  which  even  sur 
passed  in  violence  that  from  which  they  had  so  recently  escaped. 
For  the  first  hour,  awe  and  disappointment  almost  paralyzed 
the  crew,  as  nothing  was  or  could  be  done  to  relieve  them  from 
the  peril  they  were  in.  The  vessel  was  already  scudding — the 
last  resource  of  seamen — and  even  the  rags  of  the  canvas  were 
torn,  piece  by  piece,  from  the  spars,  sparing  the  men  the  efforts 
that  would  have  been  necessary  to  secure  them.  In  this  crisis, 
again  the  penitent  people  resorted  to  their  religious  rites ;  and 
again  it  fell  to  the  lot  of  the  admiral  to  make  a  visit  to  some 


428  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

favorite  shrine.  In  addition,  the  whole  crew  made  a  vow  to 
fast  on  bread  and  water,  the  first  Saturday  after  they  should 
arrive. 

"It  is  remarkable,  Don  Christopher,"  said  Luis,  when  the  two 
were  again  alone  on  the  poop  ;  "  it  is  remarkable  that  these  lots 
should  fall  so  often  on  you.  Thrice  have  you  been  selected  by 
Providence  to  be  an  instrument  of  thankfulness  and  penitence. 
This  cometh  of  your  exceeding  faith !" 

"Say,  rather,  Luis,  that  it  cometh  of  my  exceeding  sins. 
My  pride,  alone,  should  draw  down  upon  me  stronger  rebukes 
than  these.  I  fear  me,  I  had  forgotten  that  I  was  merely  an 
agent  chosen  by  God,  to  work  his  own  great  ends,  and  was  fall- 
ing into  the  snares  of  Satan,  by  fancying  that  I,  of  my  own  wis- 
dom and  philosophy,  had  done  this  great  exploit,  which  cometh 
so  truly  of  God." 

"Do  you  believe  us  in  danger,  Senor?" 

"  Greater  hazard  besets  us  now,  Don  Luis,  than  hath  be- 
fallen us  since  we  left  Palos.  We  are  driving  toward  the  con- 
tinent, which  cannot  be  thirty  leagues  distant ;  and,  as  thou 
seest,  the  ocean  is  becoming  more  troubled  every  hour.  Hap- 
pily, the  night  is  far  advanced,  and  with  the  light  we  may  find 
the  means  of  safety." 

The  day  did  reappear  as  usual ;  for  whatever  disturbances 
occur  on  its  surface,  the  earth  continues  its  daily  revolutions  in 
the  sublimity  of  its  vastness,  affording,  at  each  change,  to  the 
mites  on  its  surface,  the  indubitable  proofs  that  an  omnipotent 
power  reigns  over  all  its  movements.  The  light,  however, 
brought  no  change  in  the  aspects  of  the  ocean  and  sky.  The 
wind  blew  furiously,  and  the  Nina  struggled  along  amid  the 
chaos  of  waters,  driving  nearer  and  nearer  to  the  continent  that 
lay  before  her. 

About  the  middle  of  the  afternoon,  signs  of  land  became 
quite  apparent,  and  no  one  doubted  the  vicinity  of  the  vessel 
to  the  shores  of  Europe.  Nevertheless,  naught  was  visible  but 
the  raging  ocean,  the  murky  sky,  and  the  sort  of  supernatural 
light  with  which   the  atmosphere   is   so    often  charged  in  a 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  429 

tempest.  The  spot  where  the  sun  set,  though  known  by  means 
of  the  compass,  could  not  be  traced  by  the  eye ;  and  again 
night  closed  on  the  wild,  wintry  scene,  as  if  the  little  caravel 
was  abandoned  by  hope  as  well  as  by  day.  To  add  to  the 
apprehensions  of  the  people,  a  high  cross  sea  was  running ; 
and,  as  ever  happens  with  vessels  so  small,  in  such  circum- 
stances, tons'  weight  of  water  were  constantly  falling  inboard, 
threatening  destruction  to  the  gratings  and  their  frail  coverings 
of  tarred  cloth. 

"  This  is  the  most  terrible  night  of  all,  son  Luis,"  said  Co- 
lumbus, about  an  hour  after  the  darkness  had  drawn  around 
them.  "If  we  escape  this  night,  well  may  we  deem  ourselves 
favored  of  God  !" 

"  And  yet  you  speak  calmly,  Seiior ;  as  calmly  as  if  your 
heart  was  filled  with  hope.,, 

"  The  seaman  that  cannot  command  his  nerves  and  voice, 
even  in  the  utmost  peril,  hath  mistaken  his  calling.  But  I  feel 
calm,  Luis,  as  well  as  seem  calm.  God  hath  us  in  his  keeping, 
and  will  do  that  which  most  advanceth  his  own  holy  will.  My 
boys — my  two  poor  boys  trouble  me  sorely ;  but  even  the  fath- 
erless are  not  forgotten !" 

"If  we  perish,  Senor,  the  Portuguese  will  remain  mas- 
ters of  our  secret :  to  them  only  is  it  now  known,  ourselves 
excepted,  since,  for  Martin  Alonzo,  I  should  think,  there  is  lit- 
tle hope." 

"  This  is  another  source  of  grief;  yet  have  I  taken  such  steps 
as  will  probably  put  their  Highnesses  on  the  maintenance  of 
their  rights.     The  rest  must  be  trusted  to  heaven." 

At  that  moment  was  heard  the  startling  cry  of  "  land." 
This  word,  which  so  lately  would  have  been  the  cause  of  sudden 
bursts  of  joy,  was  now  the  source  of  new  uneasiness.  Al- 
though the  night  was  dark,  there  were  moments  when  the 
gloom  opened,  as  it  might  be,  for  a  mile  or  two  around  the 
vessel,  and  when  objects  as  prominent  as  a  coast  could  be  seen 
with  sufficient  distinctness.  Both  Columbus  and  our  hero  hast- 
ened to  the  forward  part  of  the  caravel,  at  this  cry,  though  even 


430  .  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

this  common  movement  was  perilous,  in  order  to  obtain  the 
best  possible  view  of  the  shore.  It  was,  indeed,  so  near,  that 
all  on  board  heard,  or  fancied  they  heard,  the  roar  of  the  surf 
against  the  rocks.  That  it  was  Portugal,  none  doubted,  and 
to  stand  on  in  the  present  uncertainty  of  their  precise  position, 
or  without  a  haven  to  enter,  would  be  inevitable  destruction. 
There  remained  only  the  alternative  to  ware  with  the  caravel's 
head  off  shore,  and  endeavor  to  keep  an  offing  until  morning. 
Columbus  had  no  sooner  mentioned  this  necessity,  than  Vicente 
Yanez  set  about  its  execution  in  the  best  manner  circumstances 
would  allow. 

Hitherto  the  wind  had  been  kept  a  little  on  the  starboard 
quarter,  the  caravel  steering  east,  a  point  or  two  north,  and  it 
was  now  the  aim  to  lay  her  head  so  far  round  as  to  permit  her 
to  steer  north,  a  point  or  two  west.  By  the  manner  in  which 
the  coast  appeared  to  trend,  it  was  thought  that  this  variation 
in  the  direction  might  keep  them,  for  a  few  hours,  at  a  suffi- 
cient distance  from  the  shore.  But  this  manoeuvre  could  not 
be  effected  without  the  aid  of  canvas,  and  an  order  was  issued 
to  set  the  foresail.  The  first  flap  of  the  canvas,  as  it  was 
loosened  to  the  gale,  was  tremendous,  the  jerk  threatening  to 
tear  the  fore-mast  from  its  step,  and  then  all  was  still  as  death 
forward,  the  hull  sinking  so  low  behind  a  barrier  of  water,  as 
actually  to  becalm  the  sail.  Sancho  and  his  associate  seized 
the  favorable  moment  to  secure  the  clews,  and,  as  the  little 
bark  struggled  upward  again,  the  canvas  filled  with  some  such 
shock  as  is  felt  at  the  sudden  checking  of  a  cable.  From  this 
moment  the  Nina  drew  slowly  off  to  sea  again,  though  her  path 
lay  through  such  a  scene  of  turbulent  water,  as  threatened,  at 
each  instant,  to  overwhelm  her. 

"Luis  I"  said  a  soft  voice,  at  our  hero's  elbow,  as  the  latter 
stood  clinging  to  the  side  of  the  door  of  the  cabin  appropriated 
to  the  females — "  Luis — Hayti  better — Mattinao  better — much 
bad,  Luis!" 

It  was  Ozema,  who  had  risen  from  her  pallet  to  look  out 
'ipon  the  appalling  view  of  the  ocean.  During  the  mild  weather 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  431 

of  the  first  part  of  the  passage,  the  intercourse  between  Luis 
and  the  natives  on  board  had  been  constant  and  cheerful. 
Though  slightly  incommoded  by  her  situation,  Ozema  had  always 
received  his  visits  with  guileless  delight,  and  her  progress  in 
Spanish  had  been  such  as  to  astonish  even  her  teacher.  Nor 
were  the  means  of  communication  confined  altogether  to  the 
advance  of  Ozema,  since  Luis,  in  his  endeavors  to  instruct  her, 
had  acquired  nearly  as  many  words  of  her  native  tongue,  as  he 
had  taught  her  of  his  own.  In  this  manner  they  conversed, 
resorting  to  both  dialects  for  terms,  as  necessity  dictated.  We 
shall  give  a  free  translation  of  what  was  said,  endeavoring,  at 
the  same  time,  to  render  the  dialogue  characteristic  and  graphic. 

"  Poor  Ozema  !"  returned  our  hero,  drawing  her  gently  to  a 
position  where  he  could  support  her  against  the  effects  of  the 
violent  motion  of  the  caravel — u  thou  must  regret  Hayti,  indeed, 
and  the  peaceful  security  of  thy  groves  !" 

"Caonabo  there,  Luis." 

"True,  innocent  girl;  but  even  Caonabo  is  not  as  terrible  hs 
this  anger  of  the  elements." 

"  No — no — no — Caonabo  much  bad.  Break  Ozema's  heart. 
No  Caonabo — no  Hayti." 

"  Thy  dread  of  the  Carib  chief,  dear  Ozema,  hath  upset  thy 
reason,  in  part.  Thou  hast  a  God,  as  well  as  we  Christians, 
and,  like  us,  must  put  thy  trust  in  him  ;  he  alone  can  now  pro- 
tect thee." 

"What  protect?" 

"  Care  for  thee,  Ozema.  See  that  thou  dost  not  come  to 
harm.     Look  to  thy  safety  and  welfare." 

"Luis  protect  Ozema.  So  promise  Mattinao — so  promise 
Ozema — so  promise  heart." 

"  Dear  girl,  so  will  I,  to  the  extent  of  my  means.  But  what 
can  I  do  against  this  tempest?" 

"What  Luis  do  against  Caonabo  ?— kill  him — cut  Indians — 
make  him  run  away  !" 

"  This  was  easy  to  a  Christian  knight,  who  carried  a  good 
sword  and  buckler,  but  it  is  impossible  against  a  tempest.    We 


432  MERCEDES      OF      C  k  STILE. 

have  only  one  hope,  and  that  is  to  trust  in  the  Spaniard's 
God." 

"  Spaniards  great — have  great  God." 

"  There  is  but  one  God,  Ozerna,  and  he  ruleth  all,  whether 
in  Hayti  or  in  Spain.  Thou  rememberest  what  I  have  told 
thee  of  his  love,  and  of  the  manner  of  his  death,  that  we  might 
all  be  saved,  and  thou  didst  then  promise  to  worship  him,  and 
to  be  baptized  when  we  should  reach  my  country." 

"  God ! — Ozema  do,  what  Ozema  say.  Love  Luis'  God 
already." 

"  Thou  hast  seen  the  holy  cross,  Ozema,  and  hast  promised 
me  to  kiss  it,  and  bless  it." 

"  Where  cross?  See  no  cross — up  in  heaven? — or  where  ? 
Show  Ozema  cross,  now — Luis'  cross — cross  Luis  love." 

The  young  man  wore  the  parting  gift  of  Mercedes  near  his 
heart,  and  raising  a  hand  he  withdrew  the  small  jewel,  pressed 
it  to  his  own  lips  with  pious  fervor,  and  then  offered  it  to  the 
Indian  girl. 

il  See" — he  said — "tliis  is  a  cross  ;  we  Spaniards  revere  and 
bless  it.     It  is  our  pledge  of  happiness. " 

"  That  Luis'  God  ?"  enquired  Ozema,  in  a  little  surprise. 

"  Not  so,  my  poor  benighted  girl" — 

"  What  benighted  ?"  interrupted  the  quick-witted  Haytian, 
eagerly,  for  no  term  that  the  young  man  could  or  did  apply  to 
her,  fell  unheeded  on  her  vigilant  and  attentive  ear. 

"  Benighted  means  those  who  have  never  heard  of  the  cross, 
or  of  its  endless  mercies." 

"  Ozema  no  benighted  now,"  exclaimed  the  other,  pressing 
the  bauble  to  her  b.osom.  "  Got  cross — keep  cross — no  benight- 
ed again,  never.  Cross,  Mercedes" — for,  by  one  of  those  mis- 
takes that  are  not  unfrequent  in  the  commencement  of  all  com- 
munications between  those  who  speak  different  tongues,  the 
young  Indian  had  caught  the  notion,  from  many  of  Luis'  invol- 
untary exclamations,  that  "  Mercedes"  meant  all  that  was 
excellent. 

"  I  would,  indeed,  that  she  of  whom  thou  speakest  had  thee 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  433 

in  her  gentle  care,  that  she  might  lead  thy  pure  soul  to  a  just 
knowledge  of  thy  Creator !  That  cross  cometh  of  Mercedes,  if 
it  be  not  Mercedes  herself,  and  thou  dost  well  in  loving  it,  and 
in  blessing  it.  Place  the  chain  around  thy  neck,  Ozema,  for 
the  precious  emblem  may  help  in  preserving  thee,  should  the 
gale  throw  us  on  the  coast,  ere  morning.  That  cross  is  a  sign 
of  undying  love." 

The  girl  understood  enough  of  this,  especially  as  the  di- 
rection was  seconded  by  a  little  gentle  aid,  on  the  part  of  our 
hero,  to  comply,  and  the  chain  was  soon  thrown  around  her 
neck,  with  the  holy  emblem  resting  on  her  bosom.  The 
change  in  the  temperature,  as  well  as  a  sense  of  propriety,  had  in- 
duced the  admiral  to  cause  ample  robes  of  cotton  to  be  furnish- 
ed all  the  females,  and  Ozema's  beautiful  form  was  now  closely 
enveloped  in  one,  and  beneath  its  folds  she  had  hidden  the 
jewel,  which  she  fondly  hugged  to  her  heart,  as  a  gift  of  Luis. 
Not  so  did  the  young  man  himself  view  the  matter.  He  had 
merely  meant  to  lend,  in  a  moment  of  extreme  peril,  that 
which  the  superstitious  feeling  of  the  age  seriously  induced 
him  to  fancy  might  prove  a  substantial  safeguard.  As  Ozema 
was  by  no  means  expert  in  managing  the  encumbrance  of  a 
dress  to  which  she  was  unaccustomed,  even  while  native  taste 
had  taught  her  to  throw  it  around  her  person  gracefully,  the 
young  man  had  half  unconsciously  assisted  in  placing  the 
cross  in  its  new  position,  when  a  violent  roll  of  the  vessel 
compelled  him  to  sustain  the  girl  by  encircling  her  waist  with 
an  arm.  Partly  yielding  to  the  motion  of  the  caravel,  which 
was  constantly  jerking  even  the  mariners  from  their  feet,  and 
probably  as  much  seduced  by  the  tenderness  of  her  own  heart, 
Ozema  did  not  rebuke  this  liberty — the  first  our  hero  had 
ever  offered,  but  stood,  in  confiding  innocence,  upheld  by  the 
arm  that,  of  all  others,  it  was  most  grateful  to  her  feelings 
to  believe  destined  to  perform  that  office  for  life.  In  another 
moment,  her  head  rested  on  his  bosom,  and  her  face  was  turned 
upward,  with  the  eyes  fastened  on  the  countenance  of  the 
young  noble. 


434  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

"Thou  art  less  alarmed  at  this  terrific  storm,  Ozema,  than  I 
could  have  hoped.  Apprehension  for  thee  has  made  me  more 
miserable  than  I  could  have  thought  possible,  and  yet  thou 
seemest  not  to  be  disturbed." 

"  Ozema  no  unhappy — no  want  Hayti — no  want  Mattinao — 
no  want  any  thing — Ozema  happy  now.     Got  cross." 

"  Sweet,  guileless  innocent,  may'st  thou  never  know  any  other 
feelings ! — confide  in  thy  cross." 

"  Cross,  Mercedes — Luis,  Mercedes.  Luis  and  Ozema  keep 
cross  forever." 

It  was,  perhaps,  fortunate  for  this  high-prized  happiness  of 
the  girl,  that  the  Nina  now  took  a  plunge  that  unavoidably 
compelled  our  hero  to  release  his  hold  of  her  person,  or  to  drag 
her  with  him  headlong  toward  the  place  where  Columbus 
stood,  sheltering  his  weather-beaten  form  from  a  portion  of  the 
violence  of  the  tempest.  When  he  recovered  his  feet,  he  per- 
ceived that  the  door  of  the  cabin  was  closed,  and  that  Ozema 
was  no  longer  to  be  seen. 

"  Dost  thou  find  our  female  friends  terrified  by  this  appalling 
scene,  son  Luis?"  Columbus  quietly  demanded,  for,  though  his 
own  thoughts  had  been  much  occupied  by  the  situation  of  the 
caravel,  he  had  noted  all  that  had  just  passed  so  near  him. 
"They  are  stout  of  heart,  but  even  an  amazon  might  quail  at 
this  tempest." 

"  They  heed  it  not,  Senor,  for  I  think  they  understand  it 
not.  The  civilized  man  is  so  much  their  superior,  that  both  men 
and  women  appear  to  have  every  confidence  in  our  means  of 
safety.  I  have  just  given  Ozema  a  cross,  and  bade  her  place 
her  greatest  reliance  on  that." 

"  Thou  hast  done  well ;  it  is  now  the  surest  protector  of  us 
all.  Keep  the  head  of  the  caravel  as  near  to  the  wind  as  may 
be,  Sancho,  when  it  lulls,  every  inch  off  shore  being  so  much 
gained  in  the  way  of  security." 

The  usual  reply  was  made,  and  then  the  conversation  ceased ; 
the  raging  of  the  elements,  and  the  fearful  manner  in  which  the 
Nina  was  compelled  to  struggle  literally  to  keep  on  the  surface 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  435 

of  the  ocean,  affording  ample  matter  for  the  reflections  of  all 
who  witnessed  the  scene. 

In  this  manner  passed  the  night.  "When  the  day  broke,  it 
opened  on  a  scene  of  wintry  violence.  The  sun  was  not  visible 
that  day,  the  dark  vapor  driving  so  low  before  the  tempest,  as 
to  lessen  the  apparent  altitude  of  the  vault  of  heaven  one-half, 
but  the  ocean  was  an  undulating  sheet  of  foam.  High  land 
soon  became  visible  nearly  abeam  of  the  caravel,  and  all  the 
elder  mariners  immediately  pronounced  it  to  be  the  rock  of 
Lisbon.  As  soon  as  this  important  fact  was  ascertained,  the 
admiral  wore  with  the  head  of  the  caravel  in-shore,  and  laid 
his  course  for  the  mouth  of  the  Tagus.  The  distance  was  not 
great,  some  twenty  miles  perhaps ;  but  the  necessity  of  facing 
the  tempest,  and  of  making  sail,  on  a  wind,  in  such  a  storm, 
rendered  the  situation  of  the  caravel  more  critical  than  it  had 
been  in  all  her  previous  trials.  At  that  moment,  the  policy  of 
the  Portuguese  was  forgotten,  or  held  to  be  entirely  a  secon- 
dary consideration,  a  port  or  shipwreck  appearing  to  be  the 
alternative.  Every  inch  of  their  weatherly  position  became  of 
importance  to  the  navigators,  and  Vicente  Yanez  placed  himself 
near  the  helm  to  watch  its  play  with  the  vigilance  of  experience 
and  authority.  No  sail  but  the  lowest  could  be  carried,  and 
these  were  reefed  as  closely  as  their  construction  would  allow. 

In  this  manner  the  tempest-tossed  little  bark  struggled  for- 
ward, now  sinking  so  low  in  the  troughs  that  land,  ocean,  and 
all  but  the  frowning  billows,  with  the  clouds  above  their  heads, 
were  lost  to  view ;  and  now  rising,  as  it  might  be,  from  the 
calm  of  a  sombre  cavern,  into  the  roaring,  hissing,  and  turbu- 
lence of  a  tempest.  These  latter  moments  were  the  most  criti- 
cal. When  the  light  hull  reached  the  summit  of  a  wave,  fall- 
ing over  to  windward  by  the  yielding  of  the  element  beneath 
her,  it  seemed  as  if  the  next  billow  must  inevitably  overwhelm 
her  ;  and  yet,  so  vigilant  was  the  eye  of  Vicente  Yanez,  and  so 
ready  the  hand  of  Sancho,  that  she  ever  escaped  the  calamity. 
To  keep  the  wash  of  the  sea  entirely  out,  was,  however,  impos- 
sible; and  it  often  swept  athwart  the  deck,  forward,  like  the 


436  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

sheets  of  a  cataract,  that  part  of  tjie  vessel  being  completely 
abandoned  by  the  crew. 

"  All  now  depends  on  our  canvas,"  said  the  admiral,  with  a 
sigh;  "if  that  stand,  we  are  safer  than  when  scudding,  and  I 
think  God  is  with  us.  To  me  it  seemeth  as  if  the  wind  was  a 
little  less  violent  than  in  the  night." 

"Perhaps  it  is,  Senor.  I  believe  we  gain  on  the  place  you 
pointed  out  to  me." 

"It  is  yon  rocky  point.  That  weathered,  and  we  are  safe. 
That  not  weathered,  and  we  see  our  common  grave." 

"The  caravel  behave th  nobly,  and  I  will  still  hope." 

An  hour  later,  and  the  land  was  so  near  that  human  beings 
were  seen  moving  on  it.  There  are  moments  when  life  and 
death  may  be  said  to  be  equally  presented  to  the  seaman's  sight. 
On  one  side  is  destruction ;  on  the  other  security.  As  the  ves- 
sel drew  slowly  in  toward  the  shore,  not  only  was  the  thunder 
of  the  surf  upon  the  rocks  audible,  but  the  frightful  manner  in 
which  the  water  was  tossed  upward  in  spray,  gave  additional 
horrors  to  the  view.  On  such  occasions,  it  is  no  uncommon 
thing  to  see  jets  d'eau  hundreds  of  feet  in  height,  and.  the  driv- 
ing spray  is  often  carried  to  a  great  distance  inland,  before  the 
wind.  Lisbon  has  the  whole  rake  of  the  Atlantic  before  it,  un- 
broken by  island  or  headland ;  and  the  entire  coast  of  Portugal 
is  one  of  the  most  exposed  of  Europe.  The  south-west  gales,  in 
particular,  drive  across  twelve  hundred  leagues  of  ocean,  and 
the  billows  they  send  in  upon  its  shores,  are  truly  appalling. 
Nor  was  the  storm  we  are  endeavoring  to  describe,  one  of  com- 
mon occurrence.  The  season  had  been  tempestuous,  seldom 
leaving  the  Atlantic  any  peace  ;  and  the  surges  produced  by 
one  gale  had  not  time  to  subside,  ere  another  drove  up  the  wa- 
ter in  a  new  direction,  giving  rise  to  that  irregularity  of  motion 
which  most  distresses  a  vessel,  and  which  is  particularly  hazard- 
ous to  small  ones. 

"  She  looks  up  better,  Don  Christopher  !"  exclaimed  Luis,  as 
they  got  within  musket-shot  of  the  desired  point ;  "  another 
ten  minutes  of  as  favorable  a  slant,  and  we  do  it!" 


MERCEDES      OF     CASTILE.  437 

u  Thou  art  right,  son,"  answered  the  admiral,  calmly.  "  Were 
any  calamity  to  throw  us  ashore  on  yonder  rocks,  two  planks  of 
the  Nina  would  not  hold  together  five  minutes.  Ease  her — 
good  Vicente  Yaiiez — ease  her,  quite  a  point,  and  let  her  go 
through  the  water.  All  depends  on  the  canvas,  and  we  can 
spare  that  point.  She  moves,  Luis!  Regard  the  land,  and 
thou  wilt  now  see  our  motion." 

"  True,  Senor,  but  the  caravel  is  drawing  frightfully  near  the 
point  I" 

44  Fear  not ;  a  bold  course  is  often  the  safest.  It  is  a  deep 
shore,  and  we  need  but  little  water." 

No  one  now  spoke.  The  caravel  was  dashing  in  toward  the 
point  with  appalling  speed,  and  every  minute  brought  her  per- 
ceptibly nearer  to  the  cauldron  of  water  that  was  foaming 
around  it.  Without  absolutely  entering  within  this  vortex,  the 
Nina  flew  along  its  edge,  and,  in  iive  minutes  more,  she  had  a 
direct  course  up  the  Tagus  open  before  her.  The  mainsail  was 
now  taken  in,  and  the  mariners  stood  fearlessly  on,  certain  of  a 
haven  and  security. 

Thus,  virtually,  ended  the  greatest  marine  exploit  the  world 
has  ever  witnessed.  It  is  true  that  a  run  round  to  Palos  was 
subsequently  made,  but  it  was  insignificant  in  distance,  and  not 
fruitful  in  incidents.  Columbus  had  effected  his  vast  purpose, 
and  his  success  was  no  longer  a  secret.  His  reception  in  Portu- 
gal is  known,  as  well  as  all  the  leading  occurrences  that  took 
place  at  Lisbon.  He  anchored  in  the  Tagus  on  the  4th  of 
March,  and  left  it  again  on  the  13  th.  On  the  morning  of  the 
14th,  the  Nina  was  off  Cape  St.  Vincent,  when  she  hauled  in 
to  the  eastward,  with  a  light  air  from  the  north.  At  sunrise 
on  the  15th  she  was  again  off  the  bar  of  Saltes,  after  an  absenco 
of  only  two  hundred  and  twenty- four  days. 
19 


433  MERCEDES     OE     CASTILK. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

M  One  evening-tide,  as  with  her  crones  she  sate, 
Making  sweet  solace  of  some  scandal  new, 
A  boisterous  noise  came  thund'ring  at  the  gate, 
And  soon  a  sturdie  boy  approached  in  view ; 
"With  gold  far  glitteraund  were  his  vestments  blue, 
And  pye-shaped  hat,  and  of  the  silver  sheen 
An  huge  broad  buckle  glaunst  in  either  shoe, 
And  round  his  necke  an  Indian  kerchiefe  clean, 
And  in  his  hand  a  switch ; — a  jolly  wight  I  ween." 

MlCKL3Bt 

Notwithstanding  the  noble  conceptions  that  lay  at  the  bot- 
tom of  the  voyage  we  have  just  related,  the  perseverance  and 
self-devotion  that  were  necessary  to  its  accomplishment,  and 
the  magnificence  of  the  consequences  that  were  dependent  on 
its  success,  it  attracted  very  little  attention,  amid  the  stirring 
incidents  and  active  selfishness  of  the  age,  until  the  result  was 
known.  Only  a  month  before  the  arrangement  was  made  with 
Columbus,  the  memorable  edict  of  the  two  sovereigns,  for  the 
expulsion  of  the  Jews,  had  been  signed  ;  and  this  uprooting  of 
so  large  a  portion  of  the  Spanish  nation  was,  of  itsetf,  an  event 
likely  to  draw  off  the  eyes  of  the  people  from  an  enterprise 
deemed  as  doubtful,  and  which  was  sustained  by  means  so 
insignificant,  as  that  of  the  great  navigator.  The  close  of  the 
month  of  July  had  been  set  as  the  latest  period  for  the  depar- 
ture of  these  persecuted  religionists  ;  and  thus,  at  the  very  time, 
almost  on  the  very  day,  when  Columbus  sailed  from  Palos,  was 
the  attention  of  the  nation  directed  toward  what  might  be 
termed  a  great  national  calamity.  The  departure  was  like  the 
setting  forth  from  Egypt,  the  highways  being  thronged  with 
the  moving  masses,  many  of  which  were  wandering  they  knew 
not  whither. 


MERCEDES      OP     CASTILE.  439 

The  king  and  queen  had  left  Granada  in  May,  and  after  re- 
maining two  months  in  Castile,  they  passed  into  Aragon,  about 
the  commencement  of  August,  in  which  kingdom  they  hap- 
pened to  be  wheu  the  expedition  sailed.  Here  they  remained 
throughout  the  rest  of  the  season,  settling  affairs  of  importance, 
and,  quite  probably,  disposed  to  avoid  the  spectacle  of  the 
misery  their  Jewish  edict  had  inflicted,  Castile  having  contained 
much  the  greater  portion  of  that  class  of  their  subjects.  In 
October,  a  visit  was  paid  to  the  turbulent  Catalans  ;  the  court 
passing  the  entire  winter  in  Barcelona.  Nor  did  momentous 
events  cease  to  occupy  them  while  in  this  part  of  their  territo- 
ries. On  the  7th  of  December  an  attempt  was  made  on  the 
life  of  Ferdinand  ;  the  assassin  inflicting  a  severe,  though  not  a 
fatal  wound,  by  a  blow  on  the  neck.  During  the  critical  weeks 
in  which  the  life  of  the  king  was  deemed  to  be  in  danger,  Isa- 
bella watched  at  his  bed-side,  with  the  untiring  affection  of  a 
devoted  wife ;  and  her  thoughts  dwelt  more  on  her  affections 
than  on  any  worldly  aggrandisement.  Then  followed  the  in- 
vestigation into  the  motives  of  the  criminal ;  conspiracies  ever 
being  distrusted  in  such  cases,  although  history  would  probably 
show  that  much  the  greater  part  of  these  wicked  attempts  on 
the  lives  of  sovereigns,  are  more  the  results  of  individual  fanat- 
icism, than  of  any  combined  plans  to  destroy. 

Isabella,  whose  gentle  spirit  grieved  over  the  misery  her 
religious  submission  had  induced  her  to  inflict  on  the  Jews,  was 
spared  the  additional  sorrow  of  mourning  for  a  husband,  taken 
away  by  means  so  violent.  Ferdinand  gradually  recovered. 
All  these  occurrences,  together  with  the  general  cares  of  the 
state,  had  served  to  divide  the  thoughts  of  even  the  queen  from 
the  voyage  ;  while  the  politic  Ferdinand,  in  his  mind,  had  long 
since  set  down  the  gold  expended  in  the  outfit  as  so  much 
money  lost. 

The  balmy  spring  of  the  south  opened  as  usual,  and  the 
fertile  province  of  Catalonia  had  already  become  delightful  with 
the  fresh  verdure  of  the  close  of  March.  The  king  had,  for 
some  weeks,  resumed  his  usual  occupations,  and  Isabella,  re- 


440  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

lieved  from  her  conjugal  fears,  had  again  fallen  into  the  quiet 
current  of  her  duties  and  her  usual  acts  of  beneficence.  Indis- 
posed to  the  gorgeousness  of  hev  station  by  the  recent  events, 
and  ever  pining  for  the  indulgence  of  the  domestic  affections, 
this  estimable  woman,  notwithstanding  the  strong  natural  dis- 
position she  had  always  felt  for  that  sort  of  life,  had  lived  more 
among  her  children  and  confidants,  of  late,  than  had  been  even 
her  wont.  Her  earliest  friend,  the  Marchioness  of  Moya,  as  a 
matter  of  course,  was  ever  near  her  person,  and  Mercedes  pass- 
ed most  of  her  time  either  in  the  immediate  presence  of  her 
royal  mistress,  or  in  that  of  her  children. 

There  had  been  a  small  reception  one  evening,  near  the  close 
of  the  month ;  and  Isabella,  glad  to  escape  from  such  scenes, 
had  withdrawn  to  her  private  apartments,  to  indulge  in  conver- 
sation in  the  circle  she  so  much  loved.  It  was  near  the  hour 
of  midnight,  the  king  being  at  work,  as  usual,  in  an  adjoining 
closet.  There  were  present,  besides  the  members  of  the  royal 
family  and  Dona  Beatriz  with  her  lovely  niece,  the  Archbishop 
of  Granada,  Luis  de  St.  Angel,  and  Alonzo  de  Quintanilla,  the 
two  last  of  whom  had  been  summoned  by  the  prelate,  to  discuss 
some  question  of  clerical  finance  before  their  illustrious  mis- 
tress. All  business,  however,  was  over,  and  Isabella  was  ren- 
dering the  circle  agreeable,  with  the  condescension  of  a  princess 
and  the  gentle  grace  of  a  woman. 

"  Are  there  fresh  tidings  from  the  unfortunate  and  deluded 
Hebrews,  Lord  Archbishop  ?"  demanded  Isabella,  whose  kind 
feelings  ever  led  her  to  regret  the  severity  which  religious 
dependence  on  her  confessors  had  induced  her  to  sanction. 
"  Our  prayers  should  surely  attend  them,  notwithstanding  our 
policy  and  duty  have  demanded  their  expulsion." 

"  Senora,"  answered  Fernando  de  Talavera,  "  they  are 
doubtless  serving  Mammon  among  the  Moors  and  Turks,  as 
they  served  him  in  Spain.  Let  not  your  Highness'  gracious 
mind  be  disturbed  on  account  of  these  descendants  of  the 
enemies  and  crucifiers  of  Christ,  who,  if  they  suffer  at  all,  do 
but  suffer  justly,  for  the  unutterable  sin  of  their  forefathers.  Let 


MERCEDES      OF     CASTILE.  441 

us  rather  inquire,  my  gracious  mistress,  of  the  Senores  St.  Angel 
and  Quintanilla  here,  what  hath  become  of  their  favorite  Colon, 
the  Genoese  ;  and  when  they  look  for  his  return,  dragging  the 
GrBat  Khan,  a  captive,  by  the  beard  !" 

"  We  know  naught  of  him,  holy  prelate,"  put  in  de  St.  Angel, 
briskly,  "  since  his  departure  from  the  Canaries." 

"  The  Canaries  I"  interrupted  the  queen,  in  a  little  surprise. 
" Hath  aught  been  received,  that  cometh  from  that  quarter?" 

"  By  report  only,  Senora.  Letters  have  not  reached  any  in 
Spain,  that  I  can  learn,  but  there  is  a  rumor  from  Portugal, 
that  the  admiral  touched  at  Gomera  and  the  Grand  Canary, 
where  it  would  seem  he  had  his  difficulties,  and  whence  he 
shortly  after  departed,  holding  a  western  course ;  since  which 
time  no  tidings  have  been  received  from  either  of  the  caravels." 
"  By  which  fact,  Lord  Archbishop,"  added  Quintanilla,  "  we  can 
perceive  that  trifles  are  not  likely  to  turn  the  adventurers  back." 
"  I'll  warrant  ye,  Senores,  that  a  Genoese  adventurer  who 
holdeth  their  Highnesses'  commission  as  an  admiral,  will  be  in 
no  unseemly  haste  to  get  rid  of  the  dignity  !"  rejoined  the  prel- 
ate, laughing,  without  much  deference  to  his  mistress'  conces- 
sions in  Columbus'  favor.  "  One  does  not  see  rank,  authority, 
and  emolument,  carelessly  thrown  aside,  when  they  may  be 
retained  by  keeping  aloof  from  the  power  whence  they  spring." 
"  Thou  art  unjust  to  the  Genoese,  holy  sir,  and  judges t  him 
harshly,"  observed  the  queen.  "  Truly,  I  did  not  know  of 
these  tidings  from  the  Canaries,  and  I  rejoice  to  hear  that  Colon 
hath  got  thus  far  in  safety.  Hath  not  the  past  been  esteemed 
a  most  boisterous  winter  among  mariners,  Senor  de  St.  Angel  ?" 
"  So  much  so,  your  Highness,  that  I  have  heard  the  seamen 
here,  in  Barcelona,  swear  that,  within  the  memory  of  man,  there 
hath  not  been  another  like  it.  Should  ill-luck  wait  upon  Colon, 
I  trust  this  circumstance  may  be  remembered  as  his  excuse ; 
though  I  doubt  if  he  be  very  near  any  of  our  tempests  and 
storms." 

"Not  he!"  exclaimed  the  bishop,  triumphantly.     "It  will 
be  seen  that  he  hath  been  safely  harbored  in  some  river  of 


442  ME  It  CEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

Africa ;  and  we  shall  have  some  question  yet  to  settle  about  him 
with  Don  John  of  Portugal." 

"  Here  is  the  king  to  give  us  his  opinion,"  interposed  Isa- 
bella. "  It  is  long  since  I  have  heard  him  mention  the  name 
of  Colon.  Have  you  entirely  forgotten  our  Genoese  admiral, 
Don  Fernando  !" 

"  Before  I  am  questioned  on  subjects  so  remote,"  returned 
the  king,  smiling,  "let  me  inquire  into  matters  nearer  home. 
How  long  is  it  that  your  Highness  holdeth  court,  and  giveth 
receptions,  past  the  hour  of  midnight  I" 

"  Call  you  this  a  court,  Seiior  %  Here  are  but  our  own  dear 
children,  Beatriz  and  her  niece,  with  the  good  archbishop,  and 
those  two  faithful  servants  of  your  own." 

"  True  ;  but  you  overlook  the  ante-chambers,  and  those  who 
await  your  pleasure  without." 

"  None  can  await  without  at  this  unusual  hour;  surely  you 
jest,  my  lord." 

"Then  your  own  page,  Diego  de  Ballesteros,  hath  reported 
falsely.  Unwilling  to  disturb  your  privacy,  at  this  unseasonable 
hour,  he  hath  come  to  me,  saying  that  one  of  strange  conduct 
and  guise  is  in  the  palace,  insisting  on  an  interview  with  the 
queen,  let  it  be  late  or  early.  The  accounts  of  this  man's  de- 
portment are  so  singular,  that  I  have  ordered  him  to  be  ad- 
mitted, and  have  come  myself  to  witness  the  interview.  The 
page  telleth  me  that  he  swears  all  hours  are  alike,  and  that 
night  and  day  are  equally  made  for  our  uses." 

"  Dearest  Don  Fernando,  there  may  be  treason  in  this  !" 

"  Fear  not,  Isabella ;  assassins  are  not  so  bold,  and  the  trusty 
rapiers  of  these  gentlemen  will  prove  sufficient  for  our  protec- 
tion— Hist !  there  are  footsteps,  and  we  must  appear  calm,  even 
though  we  apprehend  a  tumult." 

The  door  opened,  and  Sancho  Mundo  stood  in  the  royal 
presence.  The  air  and  appearance  of  so  singular  a  being  excited 
both  astonishment  and  amusement,  and  every  eye  was  fastened 
on  him  in  wonder;  and  this  so  much  the  more,  because  he  had 
decked  his  person  with  sundry  ornaments  from  the  imaginary 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  443 

Indies,  among  which  were  one  or  two  bands  of  gold.  Mercedes 
alone  detected  his  profession  by  his  air  and  attire,  and  she  rose 
involuntarily,  clasping  her  hands  with  energy,  and  suffering  a 
slight  exclamation  to  escape  her.  The  queen  perceived  this 
little  pantomime,  and  it  at  once  gave  a  right  direction  to  her 
own  thoughts. 

"  I  am  Isabella,  the  queen,"  she  said,  rising,  without  any 
further  suspicion  of  danger ;  "  and  thou  art  a  messenger  from 
Colon,  the  Genoese  ?" 

Sancho,  who  had  found  great  difficulty  in  gaining  admittance, 
now  that  his  end  was  obtained,  took  matters  with  his  native 
coolness.  His  first  act  was  to  fall  on  his  knees,  as  he  had  been 
particularly  enjoined  by  Columbus  to  do.  He  had  caught  the 
habit  of  using  the  weed  of  Hayti  and  Cuba,  from  the  natives, 
and  was,  in  fact,  the  first  seaman  who  ever  chewed  tobacco. 
The  practice  had  already  got  to  be  confirmed  with  him,  and 
before  he  answered,  or  as  soon  as  he  had  taken  this,  for  him, 
novel  position,  he  saw  fit  to  fill  a  corner  of  his  mouth  with  the 
attractive  plant.  Then,  giving  his  wardrobe  a  shake,  for  all  the 
decent  clothes  he  owned  were  on  his  person,  he  disposed  him- 
self to  make  a  suitable  reply. 

"Senora — Dona — your  Highness,"  he  answered,  "anyone 
might  have  seen  that  at  a  glance.  I  am  Sancho  Mundo,  of  the 
ship-yard-gate ;  one  of  your  Highness'  Excellency's  most  faithful 
subjects  and  mariners,  being  a  native  and  resident  of  Moguer." 

"  Thou  comest  from  Colon,  I  say  V 

"  Senora,  I  do ;  many  thanks  to  your  Eoyal  Grace  for  the 
information.  Don  Christopher  hath  sent  me  across  the  country 
from  Lisbon,  seeing  that  the  wily  Portuguese  would  be  less 
likely  to  distrust  a  simple  mariner,  like  myself,  than  one  of  your 
every-day-booted  couriers.  'Tis  a  weary  road,  and  there  is  not 
a  mule  between  the  stables  of  Lisbon  and  the  palace  of  Barce- 
lona, fit  for  a  Christian  to  bestride." 

"Then,  hast  thou  letters?  One  like  thee  can  scarcely  bear 
aught  else." 

"  Therein,  your  Grace's  Highness,  Dona  Reyna,  is  mistaken; 


444  MERCEDES      OF     CASTILE. 

though  I  am  far  from  bearing  half  the  number  of  doblas  I  had 
at  starting.  Mass !  the  innkeepers  took  me  for  a  grandee,  by 
the  manner  in  which  they  charged  I." 

"  Give  the  man  gold,  good  Alonzo — he  is  one  that  liketh  his 
reward  ere  he  will  speak." 

Sancho  coolly  counted  the  pieces  that  were  put  into  his  hand, 
and,  finding  them  greatly  to  exceed  his  hopes,  he  had  no  longer 
any  motive  for  prevarication. 

"  Speak,  fellow  !"  cried  the  king.  "  Thou  triflest  where  thou 
owest  thy  duty  and  obedience." 

The  sharp,  quick  voice  of  Ferdinand  had  much  more  effect  on 
the  ear  of  Sancho,  than  the  gentler  tones  of  Isabella,  notwith- 
standing his  rude  nature  had  been  impressed  with  the  matronly 
beauty  and  grace  of  the  latter. 

"If  your  Highness  would  condescend  to  let  me  know  what 
you  wish  to  hear,  I  will  speak  in  all  gladness." 

"Where  is  Colon?"  demanded  the  queen. 

"  At  Lisbon,  lately,  Seiiora,  though  I  think  now  at  Palos  de 
Moguer,  or  in  that  neighborhood." 

"  Whither  hath  he  been  ?" 

"  To  Cipango,  and  the  territories  of  the  Great  Khan ;  forty 
days'  sail  from  Gomera,  and  a  country  of  marvellous  beauty  and 
excellence !" 

"  Thou  canst  not — darest  not  trifle  with  me  !  Can  we  put 
credit  in  thy  words  ?" 

"  If  your  Highness  only  knew  Sancho  Mundo,  you  would  not 
feel  this  doubt.  I  tell  you,  Senora,  and  all  these  noble  cavaliers 
and  dames,  that  Don  Christopher  Colon  hath  discovered  the 
other  side  of  the  earth,  which  we  now  know  to  be  round,  by 
having  circled  it ;  and  that  he  hath  found  out  that  the  north  star 
journey eth  about  in  the  heavens,  like  a  gossip  spreading  her 
news  ;  and  that  he  hath  taken  possession  of  islands  as  large  as 
Spain,  in  which  gold  groweth,  and  where  the  holy  church  may 
employ  itself  in  making  Christians  to  the  end  of  time." 

"  The  letter — Sancho — give  me  the  letter.  Colon  would 
scarce  send  thee  as  a  verbal  expositor." 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  445 

The  fellow  now  undid  sundry  coverings  of  cloth  and  paper, 
until  he  reached  the  missive  of  Columbus,  when,  without  rising 
from  his  knees,  he  held  it  out  toward  the  queen,  giving  her  the 
trouble  to  move  forward  several  paces  to  receive  it.  So  unex- 
pected and  astounding  were  the  tidings,  and  so  novel  the  whole 
scene,  that  no  one  interfered,  leaving  Isabella  to  be  the  sole 
actor,  as  she  was,  virtually,  the  sole  speaker.  Sancho  having 
thus  successfully  acquitted  himself  of  a  task  that  had  been  ex- 
pressly confided  to  him  on  account  of  his  character  and  appear- 
ance, which,  it  was  thought,  would  prove  his  security  from 
arrest  and  plunder,  settled  down  quietly  on  his  heels,  for  he 
had  been  directed  not  to  rise  until  ordered ;  and  drawing  forth 
the  gold  he  had  received,  he  began  coolly  to  count  it  anew. 
So  absorbing  was  the  attention  all  gave  to  the  queen,  that  no 
one  heeded  the  mariner  or  his  movements.  Isabella  opened 
the  letter,  which  her  looks  devoured,  as  they  followed  line  after 
line.  As  was  usual  with  Columbus,  the  missive  was  long,  and 
it  required  many  minutes  to  read  it.  All  this  time  not  an  in- 
dividual moved,  every  eye  being  fastened  on  the  speaking  coun- 
tenance of  the  queen.  There,  were  seen  the  heightening  flush 
of  pleasure  and  surprise,  the  glow  of  delight  and  wonder,  and 
the  look  of  holy  rapture.  When  the  letter  was  ended,  Isabella 
turned  her  eyes  upward  to  heaven,  clasped  her  hands  with  en- 
ergy, and  exclaimed — 

"  Not  unto  us,  O  Lord,  but  to  Thee,  be  all  the  honor  of  this 
wonderful  discovery,  all  the  benefits  of  this  great  proof  of  thy 
goodness  and  power  I" 

Thus  saying,  she  sunk  into  a  seat  and  dissolved  in  tears. 
Ferdinand  uttered  a  slight  ejaculation  at  the  words  of  his  royal 
consort ;  and  then  he  gently  took  the  letter  from  her  unresist- 
ing hand,  and  read  it  with  great  deliberation  and  care.  It  was 
not  often  that  the  wary  King  of  Aragon  was  as  much  affected, 
in  appearance  at  least,  as  on  this  occasion.  The  expression  of 
his  face,  at  first,  was  that  of  wonder ;  eagerness,  not  to  say  avid- 
ity, followed  ;  and  when  he  had  finished  reading,  his  grave  coun- 
tenance was  unequivocally  illuminated  by  exultation  and  joy. 


446  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE, 

"Good  Luis  de  St.  Angel !"  he  cried,  "and  thou,  honest 
Alonzo  de  Quintanilla,  these  must  be  grateful  tidings  to  you 
both.  Even  thou,  holy  prelate,  wilt  rejoice  that  the  church  is 
like  to  have  acquisitions  so  glorious — albeit  no  favorer  of  the 
Genoese  of  old.  Far  more  than  all  our  expectations  are  real- 
ized, for  Colon  hath  truly  discovered  the  Indies ;  increasing  our 
dominions,  and  otherwise  advancing  our  authority  in  a  most 
unheard-of  manner." 

It  was  unusual  to  see  Don  Ferdinand  so  excited,  and  he  seem- 
ed conscious  himself  that  he  was  making  an  extraordinary  exhi- 
bition, for  he  immediately  advanced  to  the  queen,  and,  taking 
her  hand,  he  led  her  toward  his  own  cabinet.  In  passing  out 
of  the  saloon,  he  indicated  to  the  three  nobles  that  they  might 
follow  to  the  council.  The  king  made  this  sudden  movement 
more  from  habitual  wariness  than  any  settled  object,  his  mind 
being  disturbed  in  a  way  to  which  he  was  unaccustomed,  while 
caution  formed  a  part  of  his  religion,  as  well  as  of  his  policy. 
It  is  not  surprising,  therefore,  that  when  he  and  the  party  he 
invited  to  lollow  him  had  left  the  room,  there  remained  only 
the  princesses,  the  Marchioness  of  Moya,  and  Mercedes.  No 
sooner  had  the  king  and  queen  disappeared,  than  the  royal  chil- 
dren retired  to  their  own  apartments,  leaving  our  heroine,  her 
guardian,  and  Sancho,  the  sole  occupants  of  the  saloon.  The 
latter  still  remained  on  his  knees,  scarce  heeding  what  had  pass- 
ed, so  intently  was  he  occupied  with  his  own  situation,  and  his 
own  particular  sources  of  satisfaction. 

"Thou  canst  rise,  friend,"  observed  Doiia  Beatriz ;  "their 
Highnesses  are  no  longer  present." 

At  this  intelligence,  Sancho  quitted  his  humble  posture, 
brushed  his  knees  with  some  care,  and  looked  about  him  with 
the  composure  that  he  was  wont  to  exhibit  in  studying  the 
heavens  at  sea. 

"  Thou  wcrt  of  Colon's  company,  friend,  by  the  manner  in 
which  thou  hast  spoken,  and  the  circumstance  that  the  admiral 
hath  employed  thee  as  his  courier  ?" 

"You  may  well  believe  that,  Sefiora,  your  Excellency,  for 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  447 

most  of  my  time  was  passed  at  the  lielm,  which  was  within 
three  fathoms  of  the  very  spot  that  Don  Christopher  and  the 
Senor  de  Mun*s  loved  so  well  that  they  never  quitted  it,  except 
to  sleep,  and  not  always  then." 

"Hadst  thou  a  Senor  de  Munos  of  thy  party  ?"  resumed  the 
Marchioness,  making  a  sign  to  her  ward  to  control  her  feelings. 

"  That  had  we,  Senora,  and  a  Senor  Gutierrez,  and  a  certain 
Don  Somebody  Else,  and  they  all  three  did  not  occupy  more 
room  than  one  common  man.  Prithee,  honorable  and  agreea- 
ble Senora,  is  there  one  Dona  Beatriz  de  Cabrera,  the  Marchion- 
ess of  Moya,  a  lady  of  the  illustrious  house  of  Bobadilla,  any- 
where about  the  court  of  our  gracious  queen  V 

"  I  am  she,  and  thou  hast  a  message  for  me,  from  this  very 
Senor  de  Munos,  of  whom  thou  hast  spoken." 

"I  no  longer  wonder  that  there  are  great  lords  with  their 
beautiful  ladies,  and  poor  sailors  with  wives  that  no  one  envies ! 
Scarce  can  I  open  my  mouth,  but  it  is  known  what  I  wish  to 
say,  which  is  knowledge  to  make  one  party  great  and  the  other 
party  little !  Mass  ! — Don  Christopher,  himself,  will  need  all 
his  wit,  if  he  journeyeth  as  far  as  Barcelona !" 

"  Tell  us  of  this  Pedro  de  Munos ;  for  thy  message  is  to  me." 

"Then,  Senora,  I  will  tell  you  of  your  own  brave  nephew, 
the  Conde  de  Llera,  who  goeth  by  two  other  names  in  the 
caravel,  one  of  which  is  supposed  to  be  a  sham,  while  the  other 
is  still  the  greatest  deception  of  the  two." 

"  Is  it,  then,  known  who  my  nephew  really  is  ?  Are  many 
persons  acquainted  with  his  secret?" 

"  Certainly,  Senora  ;  it  is  known,  firstly,  to  himself;  secondly, 
to  Don  Christopher  ;  thirdly,  to  me  ;  fourthly,  to  Master  Alonzo 
Pinzon,  if  he  be  still  in  the  flesh,  as  most  probably  he  is  not. 
Then  it  is  known  to  your  ladyship  ;  and  this  beautiful  Senorita 
must  have  some  suspicions  of  the  matter." 

"  Enough — I  see  the  secret  is  not  public  ;  though,  how  one 
of  thy  class  came  to  be  of  it,  I  cannot  explain.  Tell  me  of  my 
nephew  : — did  he,  too,  write  ?  if  so,  let  me,  at  once,  peruse  his 
letter." 


448  MERCEDES      OF     CASTILE. 

"  Senora,  my  departure  took  Don  Luis  by  surprise,  and  he 
had  no  time  to  write.  The  admiral  had  given  the  princes  and 
princesses,  that  we  brought  from  Espanola,  in^charge  to  the 
Conde,  and  he  had  too  much  to  do  to  be  scribbling  letters,  else 
would  he  have  written  sheets  to  an  aunt  as  respectable  as  your- 
self 

"  Princes  and  princesses  ! — What  mean  you,  friend,  by  such 
high-sounding  terms?" 

"  Only  that  we  have  brought  several  of  these  great  personages 
to  Spain,  to  pay  their  respects  to  their  Highnesses.  We  deal 
with  none  of  the  common  fry,  Senora,  but  with  the  loftiest 
princes,  and  the  most  beautiful  princesses  of  the  east." 

"  And  dost  thou  really  mean  that  persons  of  this  high  rank 
have  returned  with  the  admiral  }n 

"  Out  of  all  question,  lady,  and  one  of  a  beauty  so  rare,  that 
the  fairest  dames  of  Castile  need  look  to  it,  if  they  wish  not  to 
be  outdone.  She,  in  particular,  is  Don  Luis'  friend  and 
favorite." 

"  Of  whom  speakest  thou?"  demanded  Dona  Beatriz,  in  the 
lofty  manner  in  which  she  was  wont  to  insist  on  being  answered 
directly.  "  What  is  the  name  of  this  princess,  and  whence  doth 
she  come  ?" 

"  Her  name,  your  Excellency,  is  Dona  Ozema  de  Hayti,  of  a 
part  of  which  country  her  brother,  Don  Mattinao,  is  cacique  or 
king,  Senora  Ozema  being  the  heiress,  or  next  of  kin.  Don 
Luis  and  your  humble  servant  paid  that  court  a  visit" — 

"  Thy  tale  is  most  improbable,  fellow — art  thou  one  whom 
Don  Luis  would  be  likely  to  select  as  a  companion  on  such  an 
occasion  ?" 

"  Look  at  it  as  you  will,  Senora,  it  is  as  true  as  that  this  is 
the  court  of  Don  Ferdinand  and  Dona  Isabella.  You  must 
know,  illustrious  Marchioness,  that  the  young  count  is  a  little 
given  to  roving  about  among  us  sailors,  and  on  one  occasion,  a 
certain  Sancho  Mundo,  of  Moguer,  happened  to  be.  of  the  same 
voyage  ;  and  thus  we  became  known  to  each  other.  I  kept 
the  noble's  secret,  and  he  got  to  be  Sancho' s  friend.     When 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  449 

Don  Luis  went  to  pay  a  visit  to  Don  Mattinao,  the  cacique, 
which  word  meaneth  *  your  Highness,'  in  the  eastern  tongue, 
Sancho  must  go  with  him,  and  Sancho  went.  When  King 
Caonabo  came  down  from  the  mountains  to  carry  off  the  Prin- 
cess Dona  Ozema  for  a  wife,  and  the  princess  was  unwilling  to 
go,  why  there  remained  nothing  to  be  done,  but  for  the  Conde 
de  Llera  and  his  friend  Sancho  of  the  ship-yard-gate,  to  fight 
the  whole  army  in  her  defence,  which  we  did,  gaining  as  great 
a  victory  as  Don  Fernando,  our  sovereign  master,  ever  gained 
over  the  Moors." 

"  Carrying  off  the  princess  yourselves,  as  would  seem !  Friend 
Sancho,  of  the  ship-yard-gate,  if  that  be  thy  appellation,  this 
tale  of  thine  is  ingenious,  but  it  lacketh  probability.  Were  I 
to  deal  justly  by  thee,  honest  Sancho,  it  would  be  to  order  thee 
the  stripes  thou  merietst  so  well,  as  a  reward  for  this  trifling." 

"  The  man  speaketh  as  he  hath  been  taught,"  observed  Mer- 
cedes, in  a  low,  unsteady  voice  ;  "  I  fear,  Seiiora,  there  is  too 
much  truth  in  his  tale  I" 

"  You  need  fear  nothing,  beautiful  Seiiorita,"  put  in  Sancho, 
altogether  unmoved  at  the  menace  implied  by  the  words  of  the 
Marchioness,  "  since  the  battle  hath  been  fought,  the  victory 
hath  been  gained,  and  both  the  heroes  escaped  uninjured.  This 
illustrious  Senora,  to  whom  I  can  forgive  any  thing,  as  the  aunt 
of  the  best  friend  I  have  on  earth — any  thing  spoken,  I  mean — 
will  remember  that  the  Haytians  know  nothing  of  arquebuses, 
by  means  of  which  we  defeated  Caonabo,  and  also,  that  many 
is  the  column  of  Moors  that  Don  Luis  hath  broken  singly,  and 
by  means  of  his  own  good  lance." 

"  Ay,  fellow,"  answered  Dona  Beatriz,  "but  that  hath  been 
in  the  saddle,  behind  plaits  of  steel,  and  with  a  weapon  that  hath 
overturned  even  Alonzo  de  Ojedo  !" 

"  Hast  thou  truly  brought  away  with  thee  the  princess  thou 
hast  named  ?"  asked  Mercedes,  earnestly. 

"  I  swear  to  it,  Senora  and  Senorita,  illustrious  ladies  both, 
by  the  holy  mass,  and  all  the  saints  in  the  calendar  !  A  prin- 
cess, moreover,  surpassing  in  beauty  the  daughters  of  our  own 


i50  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

blessed  queen,  if  the  fair  ladies  who  passed  out  of  this  room, 
even  now,  are  they,  as  I  suspect." 

"Out  upon  thee,  knave!"  cried  the  indignant  Beatriz — "I 
will  no  more  of  this,  and  marvel  that  my  nephew  should  have 
employed  one  of  so  loose  a  tongue,  on  any  of  his  errands.  Go 
to,  and  learn  discretion  ere  the  morning,  or  the  favor  of  even 
thy  admiral  will  not  save  thy  bones.  Mercedes,  we  will  seek 
our  rest — the  hour  is  late." 

Sancho  was  immediately  left  alone,  and  in  a  minute  a  page 
appeared  to  show  him  to  the  place  where  he  was  to  pass  the 
night.  The  old  mariner  had  grumbled  a  little  to  himself,  con 
cerning  the  spirit  of  Don  Luis'  aunt,  counted  anew  his  gold, 
and  was  about  to  take  possession  of  his  pallet,  when  the  same 
page  reappeared  to  summon  him  to  another  interview.  Sancho, 
who  knew  little  distinction  between  night  and  day,  made  no 
objections,  especially  when  he  was  told  that  his  presence  was 
required  by  the  lovely  Senorita,  whose  gentle,  tremulous  voice 
had  so  much  interested  him,  in  the  late  interview.  Mercedes 
received  her  rude  guest  in  a  small  saloon  of  her  own,  after  hav- 
ing parted  from  her  guardian  for  the  night.  As  he  entered,  her 
face  was  flushed,  her  eye  bright,  and  her  whole  demeanor,  to 
one  more  expert  in  detecting  female  emotions,  would  have  be- 
trayed intense  anxiety. 

"Thou  hast  had  a  long  and  weary  journey,  Sancho,"  said 
our  heroine,  when  alone  with  the  seaman,  "  and,  I  pray  thee,- 
accept  this  gold,  as  a  small  proof  of  the  interest  with  which  I 
have  heard  the  great  tidings  of  which  thou  hast  been  the  bearer." 

"  Senorita  !"  exclaimed  Sancho,  affecting  indifference  to  the 
doblas  that  fell  into  his  hand — "  I  hope  you  do  not  think  me 
mercenary !  the  honor  of  being  the  messenger,  and  of  being  ad- 
mitted to  converse  with  such  illustrious  ladies,  more  than  pays 
me  for  any  thing  I  could  do." 

"  Still,  thou  may'st  need  money  for  thy  wants,  and  wilt  not 
refuse  that  which  a  lady  offereth." 

"  On  that  ground,  I  would  accept  it,  Dona  Senorita,  even  were 
it  twice  as  much." 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  451 

So  saying,  Sancho  placed  the  money,  witk  a  suitable  resigna- 
tion, by  the  side  of  that  which  he  had  previously  received  by 
order  of  the  queen.  Mercedes  now  found  herself  in  the  situa- 
tion that  they  who  task  their  powers  too  much,  are  often 
fated  to  endure  ;  in  other  words,  now  she  had  at  command 
the  means  of  satisfying  her  own  doubts,  she  hesitated  about 
using  them. 

"  Sancho,"  Mercedes  at  length  commenced,  "thou  hast  been 
with  the  Serior  Colon,  throughout  this  great  and  extraordinary 
voyage,  and  must  know  much  that  it  will  be  curious  for  us,  who 
have  lived  quietly  in  Spain,  to  hear.  Is  all  thou  hast  said  about 
the  princes  and  princesses  true  ?" 

"  As  true,  Seiiorita,  as  such  things  need  be  for  a  history. 
Mass  ! — Any  one  who  hath  been  in  a  battle,  or  seen  any  other 
great  adventure,  and  then  cometh  to  hear  it  read  of,  after- 
ward, will  soon  learn  to  understand  the  difference  between 
the  thing  itself,  and  the  history  that  may  be  given  of  it.  Now, 
I  was"— 

"Never  mind  thy  other  adventures,  good  Sancho;  tell  me 
only  of  this.  Are  there  really  a  Prince  Mattinao,  and  a  Prin- 
cess Ozema  his  sister,  and  have  both  accompanied  the  admiral 
to  Spain?" 

"  I  said  not  that,  beautiful  Senorita,  for  Don  Mattinao  re- 
mained behind  to  rule  his  people.  It  is  only  his  handsome 
sister,  who  hath  followed  Don  Christopher  and  Don  Luis  to 
Palos." 

"Followed! — Do  the  admiral  and  the  Conde  de  Llera 
possess  such  influence  over  royal  ladies,  as  to  induce  them  to 
abandon  their  native  country  and  to  follow  them  to  a  foreign 
land?" 

"  Ay,  Senorita,  that  might  seem  out  of  rule  in  Castile,  or 
Portugal,  or  even  in  France.  But  Hayti  is  not  yet  a  Christian 
country,  and  a  princess  there  may  not  be  more  than  a  noble 
lady  in  Castile,  and,  in  the  way  of  wardrobe,  perhaps,  not  even 
as  much.  Still,  a  princess  is  a  princess,  and  a  handsome  prin- 
cess is  a  handsome  princess.     Dona  Ozema,  here,  is  a  wonderful 


452  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

creature,  and  begmneth  already  to  prattle  your  pure  Castiliau, 
an'  she  had  been  brought  up  at  Toledo,  or  Burgos.  But  Don 
Luis  is  a  most  encouraging  master,  and  no  doubt  made  great 
head-way,  during  the  time  he  was  living  in  her  palace,  as  it 
might  be  alone  with  her,  before  that  incarnate  devil  Don  Caon- 
abo  came  down  with  his  followers  to  seize  the  lady." 

"  Is  this  lady  a  Christian  princess,  Sancho  ?" 

"  Heaven  bless  your  own  pure  soul,  Dona  Senorita,  she  can 
boast  of  but  little  in  that  way  ;  still,  she  hath  made  something 
of  a  beginning,  as  I  see  she  now  weareth  a  cross — one  small  in 
size,  it  is  true,  but  precious  in  material,  as,  indeed  it  ought  to 
be,  seeing  that  it  is  a  present  from  one  as  noble  and  rich  as  the 
Count  of  Llera." 

"  A  cross,  say'st  thou,  Sancho  !"  interrupted  Mercedes,  almost 
gasping  for  breath,  yet  so  far  subduing  her  feelings  as  to  pre- 
vent the  old  seaman  from  detecting  them ;  "  hath  Don  Luis 
succeeded  in  inducing  her  to  accept  of  a  cross  Vy 

"That  hath  he,  Senorita — one  of  precious  stones,  that  he 
once  wore  at  his  own  neck." 

"  Knowest  thou  the  stones  ? — was  it  of  turquoise,  embellished 
with  the  finest  gold  ¥ ' 

"For  the  gold  I  can  answer,  lady,  though  my  learning  hath 
never  reached,  as  high  as  the  precious  stones.  The  heavens  of 
Hayti,  however,  are  not  bluer  than  the  stones  of  that  cross. 
Dona  Ozema  calls  it  i  Mercedes,'  by  which  I  understand  that 
she  looketh  for  the  mercies  of  the  crucifixion  to  help  her  be- 
nighted soul." 

"Is  this  cross,  then,  held  so  common,  that  it  hath  gotten  to 
be  the  subject  of  discourse  even  for  men  of  thy  class  ?" 

"Hearkee,  Senorita;  a  man  like  me  is  more  valued,  on  board 
a  caravel,  in  a  tossing  sea,  than  he  is  likely  to  be  here,  in 
Barcelona,  on  solid  ground.  We  went  to  Cipango  to  set  up 
crosses,  and  to  make  Christians  ;  so  that  all  hath  been  in  char- 
acter. As  for  the  Lady  Ozema,  she  taketh  more  notice  of  me 
than  of  another,  as  I  was  in  the  battle  that  rescued  her  from 
Caonabo,  and  so  she  showed  me  the  cross  the  day  we  anchored 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  453 

in  the  Tagus,  or  just  before  the  admiral  ordered  me  to  bring  his 
letter  to  her  Highness.  Then  it  was  that  she  kissed  the  cross, 
and  held  it, to  her  heart,  and  said  it  was  '  Mercedes.'  " 

"This  is  most  strange,  Sancho  !  Hath  this  princess  attend- 
ants befitting  her  rank  and  dignity  ?" 

"  You  forget,  Seiiorita,  that  the  Nina  is  but  a  small  craft,  as 
her  name  signifieth,  and  there  would  be  no  room  for  a  large 
train  of  lords  and  ladies.  Don  Christopher  and  Don  Luis  are 
honorable  enough  to  attend  on  any  princess ;  and  for  the  rest, 
the  Dona  Ozema  must  wait  until  our  gracious  queen  can  com- 
mand her  a  retinue  befitting  her  birth.  Besides,  my  lady, 
these  Haytian  dames  are  simpler  than  our  Spanish  nobles,  half 
of  them  thinking  clothes  of  no  great  use  in  that  mild  climate." 

Mercedes  looked  offended  and  incredulous  ;  but  her  curiosity 
and  interest  were  too  active,  to  permit  her  to  send  the  man 
away  without  further  question. 

"And  Don  Luis  de  Bobadilla  was  ever  with  the  admiral?'1 
she  said ;  "  ever  ready  to  support  him,  and  foremost  in  all 
hazards  ?" 

"  Seiiorita,  you  describe  the  count  as  faithfully  as  if  you  had 
been  present  from  first  to  last.  Had  you  but  seen  him  dealing 
out  his  blows  upon  Caonabo's  followers,  and  the  manner  in 
which  he  kept  them  all  at  bay,  with  the  Dona  Ozema  near 
him,  behind  the  rocks,  it  would  have  drawn  tears  of  admiration 
from  your  own  lovely  eyes." 

"  The  Dona  Ozema  near  him — behind  rocks — and  assailants 
held  at  bay !" 

"  Si,  Seiiora ;  you  repeat  it  all  like  a  book.  It  was  much 
as  you  say,  though  the  Lady  Ozema  did  not  content  herself 
with  being  behind  the  rocks,  for,  when  the  arrows  came  thickest, 
she  rushed  before  the  count,  compelling  the  enemy  to  withhold, 
lest  they  should  slay  the  very  prize  they  were  battling  for ; 
thereby  saving  the  life  of  her  knight." 

"  Saving  his  life ! — the  life  of  Luis — of  Don  Luis  de  Boba- 
dilla— an  Indian  princess  f" 

"  It  is  just  as  you  say,  and  a  most  noble  girl  she  is,  asking 


454  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

pardon  for  speaking  so  light  of  one  of  her  high  rank.  Time 
and  again,  since  that  day,  hath  the  young  count  told  me,  that 
the  arrows  came  in  such  clouds,  that  his  honor  might  have 
been  tarnished  by  a  retreat,  or  his  life  been  lost,  but  for 
the  timely  resolution  of  the  Dona  Ozema.  She  is  a  rare 
creature,  Senorita,  and  you  will  love  her  as  a  sister,  when  you 
come  to  see  and  know  her." 

"Sancho,"  said  our  heroine,  blushing  like  the  dawn,  "thou 
saidst  that  the  Conde  de  Llera  bade  thee  speak  of  him  to  his 
aunt ;  did  he  mention  no  one  else  I" 

"  No  one,  Senorita.'7 

"Art  certain,  Sancho?  Bethink  thee  well — did  he  mention 
no  other  name  to  thee  ?" 

"Not  that  I  can  swear.  It  is  true,  that  either  he  or  old 
Diego,  the  helmsman,  spoke  of  one  Clara  that  keepeth  an  hos- 
teria,  here  in  Barcelona,  as  a  place  famous  for  its  wine ;  but  I 
think  it  more  likely  to  have  been  Diego  than  the  count,  as  one 
thinketh  much  of  these  matters,  and  the  other  would  not  be  apt 
to  know  aught  of  Clara." 

"  Thou  canst  retire,  Sancho,"  said  Mercedes,  in  a  faint  voice. 
"  We  will  say  more  to  thee  in  the  morning.' ' 

Sancho  was  not  sorry  to  be  dismissed,  and  he  gladly  returned 
to  his  pallet,  little  dreaming  of  the  mischief  he  had  done  by 
the  mixture  of  truth  and  exaggeration  that  he  had  been  re- 
counting. 


MERCEDES     OF     CASTILE.  455 


CHAPTER   XXVII. 

44  Mac-Homer,  too,  in  prose  or  song, 
By  the  state-papers  of  Buffon, 

To  deep  researches  led ; 
A  Gallo-Celtic  scheme  may  botch, 
To  prove  the  Ourang  race  were  Bcotch, 
Who  from  the  Highlands  fled.11 

Lokd  John  Townshend. 

The  intelligence  of  the  return  of  Columbus,  and  of  the  im- 
portant discoveries  he  had  made,  spread  through  Europe  like 
wild-fire.  It  soon  got  to  be,  in  the  general  estimation,  the  great 
event  of  the  age.  For  several  years  afterward,  or  until  the  dis- 
covery of  the  Pacific  by  Balboa,  it  was  believed  that  the  Indies 
had  been  reached  by  the  western  passage  ;  and,  of  course,  the 
problem  of  the  earth's  spherical  shape  was  held  to  be  solved  by 
actual  experiment.  The  transactions  of  the  voyage,  the  won- 
ders seen,  the  fertility  of  the  soil  of  the  east,  the  softness  of  its 
climate,  its  treasures  in  gold,  spices,  and  pearls,  and  the  curious 
things  that  the  admiral  had  brought  as  proofs  of  his  success, 
were  all  the  themes  of  the  hour.  Men  never  wearied  in  dis- 
cussing the  subjects.  For  many  centuries  had  the  Spaniards 
been  endeavoring  to  expel  the  Moors  from  the  peninsula ;  but 
as  that  much-desired  event  had  been  the  result  of  time  and  a 
protracted  struggle,  even  its  complete  success  seemed  tame  and 
insignificant  compared  with  the  sudden  brilliancy  that  shone 
around  the  western  discoveries.  In  a  word,  the  pious  rejoiced 
in  the  hope  of  spreading  the  gospel ;  the  avaricious  feasted 
their  imaginations  on  untold  hoards  of  gold ;  the  politic  calcu- 
lated the  increase  of  the  power  of  Spain ;  the  scientific  ex- 
ulted in  the  triumph  of  mind  over  prejudice  and  ignorance, 


456  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE 

while  they  hoped  for  still  greater  accessions  of  knowledge  ;  and 
the  enemies  of  Spain  wondered,  and  deferred,  even  while  they 
envied. 

The  first  few  days  that  succeeded  the  arrival  of  Columbus' 
courier,  were  days  of  delight  and  curiosity.  Answers  were  sent 
soliciting  his  early  presence,  high  honors  were  proffered  to  him, 
and  his  name  filled  all  mouths,  as  his  glory  was  in  the  heart  of 
every  true  Spaniard.  Orders  were  issued  to  make  the  necessary 
outfits  for  a  new  voyage,  and  little  was  talked  of  but  the  dis- 
covery and  its  consequences.  In  this  manner  passed  a  month, 
when  the  admiral  arrived  at  Barcelona,  attended  by  most  of  the 
Indians  he  had  brought  with  him  from  the  islands.  His  hon- 
ors were  of  the  noblest  kind,  the  sovereigns  receiving  him  on  a 
throne  placed  in  a  public  hall,  rising  at  his  approach,  and  in- 
sisting on  his  being  seated  himself,  a  distinction  of  the  highest 
nature,  and  usually  granted  only  to  princes  of  royal  blood. 
Here  the  admiral  related  the  history  of  his  voyage,  exhibited 
the  curiosities  he  had  brought  with  him,  and  dwelt  on  his  hopes 
of  future  benefits.  When  the  tale  was  told,  all  present  knelt, 
and  Te  Deum  was  chanted  by  the  usual  choir  of  the  court ; 
even  Ferdinand's  stern  nature  dissolving  into  tears  of  grateful 
joy,  at  this  unlooked-for  and  magnificent  behest  of  heaven. 

For  a  long  time,  Columbus  was  the  mark  of  every  eye  ;  nor 
did  his  honors  and  consideration  cease  untill  he  left  Spain,  in 
command  of  the  second  expedition  to  the  east,  as  the  voyage 
was  then  termed. 

A  few  days  previously  to  the  arrival  of  the  admiral  at  court, 
Don  Luis  de  Bobadilla  suddenly  appeared  in  Barcelona.  On 
ordinary  occasions,  the  movements  of  one  of  the  rank  and  pecu- 
liarities of  the  young  grandee  would  have  afforded  a  topic  for 
the  courtiers,  that  would  not  soon  have  been  exhausted,  but  the 
all-engrossing  theme  of  the  great  voyage  afforded  him  a  screen. 
His  presence,  however,  could  not  escape  notice ;  and  it  was 
whispered,  with  the  usual  smiles  and  shrugs,  that  he  had  entered 
the  port  in  a  caravel,  coming  from  the  Levant ;  and  it  was  one 
of  the  received  pleasantries  of  the  hour  to  say,  in  an  undertone, 


MERCEDES      OF     CASTILE.  457 

•that  the  young  Conde  de  Llera  had  also  made  the  eastern  voy- 
age. All  this  gave  our  hero  little  concern,  and  he  was  soon 
pursuing  his  ordinary  life,  when  near  the  persons  of  the  sover- 
eigns. The  day  that  Columbus  was  received  in  state,  he  was 
present  in  the  hall,  attired  in  the  richest  vestments,  and  no 
noble  of  Spain  did  more  credit  to  his  lineage,  or  his  condition, 
than  Don  Luis,  by  his  mien  and  carriage.  It  was  remarked 
that  Isabella  smiled  on  him,  during  the  pageant ;  but  the  head 
of  more  than  one  wary  observer  was  shaken,  as  its  owner  re- 
marked how  grave  the  queen's  favorite  appeared,  for  an  occasion 
so  joyous ;  a  fact  that  was  attributed  to  the  unworthy  pursuits 
of  her  truant  nephew.  No  one,  that  day,  gazed  at  Luis  with 
more  delight  than  Sancho,  who  lingered  at  Barcelona  to  share 
in  the  honors  of  his  chief,  and  who,  in  virtue  of  his  services, 
was  permitted  to  take  his  place  among  the  courtiers  themselves. 
Not  a  little  admiration  was  excited  by  the  manner  in  which  he 
used  the  novel  weed,  called  tobacco  ;  and  some  fifteen  or  twenty 
of  his  neighbors  were  nauseated  by  their  efforts  to  emulate  his 
indulgence  and  satisfaction.  One  of  his  exploits  was  of  a 
character  so  unusual,  and  so  well  illustrates  the  feeling  of  the 
hour,  that  it  may  be  well  to  record  it  in  detail. 

The  reception  was  over,  and  Sancho  was  quitting  the  hall 
with  the  rest  of  the  crowd,  when  he  was  accosted  by  a  man 
apparently  of  forty,  well  attired,  and  of  agreeable  manner,  who 
desired  the  honor  of  his  presence  at  a  slight  entertainment,  of 
which  several  had  been  prepared  for  the  admiral  and  his  friends. 
Sancho,  nothing  loth,  the  delights  of  distinction  being  yet  so 
novel,  cheerfully  complied,  and  he  was  quickly  led  to  a  room 
of  the  palace,  where  he  found  a  party  of  some  twenty  young 
nobles  assembled  to  do  him  honor;  for  happy  was  he  that  day 
in  Barcelona  who  could  get  even  one  of  the  meanest  of  Colum- 
bus' followers  to  accept  of  his  homage.  No  sooner  did  the  two 
enter  the  room,  than  the  young  Castilian  lords  crowded  around 
them,  covering  Sancho  with  protestations  of  admiration,  and 
addressing  eager  questions,  a  dozen  at  a  time,  to  his  compan- 
ion, whom  they  styled  "  Senor  Pedro,"   "  Seiior  Matir,"  and 


458  MERCEDES      OF     CASTILE. 

occasionally  "Senor  Pedro  Matir."  It  is  scarcely  necessary  to 
add,  that  this  person  was  the  historian  who  has  become  known 
to  us  of  these  latter  days  as  "  Peter  Martyr,"  an  Italian,  to 
whose  care  and  instruction  Isabella  had  entrusted  most  of  the 
young  nobles  of  the  court.  The  present  interview  had  been 
got  up  to  indulge  the  natural  curiosity  of  the  youthful  lords, 
and  Sancho  had  been  chosen  for  the  occasion,  on  the  principle 
that  when  the  best  is  denied  us,  we  must  be  content  to  accept 
information  of  an  inferior  quality. 

"  Congratulate  me,  Senores,"  cried  Peter  Martyr,  as  soon  as 
he  could  find  an  opportunity  to  speak,  "  since  my  success  sur- 
passeth  our  own  hopes.  As  for  the  Liguirian,  himself,  and  all 
of  high  condition  about  him,  they  are  in  the  hands  of  the  most 
illustrious  of  Spain,  for  this  day  ;  but  here  is  a  most  worthy 
pilot,  no  doubt  the  second  in  authority  on  board  one  of  the 
caravels,  who  consenteth  to  do  us  honor,  and  to  partake  of  our 
homely  cheer.  I  drew  him  from  a  crowd  of  applicants,  and 
have  not  yet  had  an  opportunity  to  inquire  his  name,  which  he 
is  about  to  give  us  of  his  own  accord.' ' 

•  Sancho  never  wanted  for  self-possession,  and  had  far  too  much 
mother-wit  to  be  either  clownish  or  offensively  vulgar,  though 
the  reader  is  not  now  to  be  told  that  he  was  neither  qualified  to 
be  an  academician,  nor  had  the  most  profound  notions  of  natural 
philosophy.  He  assumed  an  air  of  suitable  dignity,  therefore, 
and,  somewhat  practised  in  his  new  vocation  by  the  thousand 
interrogatories  he  had  answered  in  the  last  month,  he  disposed 
himself  to  do  credit  to  the  information  of  a  man  who  had  visited 
the  Indies. 

"I  am  called  Sancho  Mundo,  Senores,  at  your  service — 
sometimes  Sancho  of  the  ship-yard-gate,  though  I  would  prefer 
now  to  be  called  Sancho  of  the  Indies,  unless,  indeed,  it  should 
suit  his  Excellency  Don  Christopher  to  take  that  appellation — 
his  claim  being  somewhat  better  than  mine." 

Here  several  protested  that  his  claims  were  of  the  highest 
order ;  and  then  followed  sundry  introductions  to  Sancho  of 
the  ship -yard-gate,  of  several  young  men  of  the  first  families 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  459 

in  Castile  ;  for,  though  the  Spaniards  have  not  the  same  mania 
for  this  species  of  politeness  as  the  Americans,  the  occasion  was 
one  in  which  native  feeling  got  the  ascendency  of  conventional 
reserve.  After  this  ceremony,  and  the  Mendozas,  Guzmans, 
Cerdas,  and  Toledos,  present,  felt  honored  in  knowing  this 
humble  seaman,  the  whole  party  repaired  to  the  banqueting- 
room,  where  a  table  was  spread  that  did  credit  to  the  cooks  of 
Barcelona.  During  the  repast,  although  the  curiosity  of  the 
young  men  made  some  inroads  on  their  breeding  in  this  partic- 
ular, no  question  could  induce  Sancho  to  break  in  upon  the 
duty  of  the  moment,  for  which  he  entertained  a  sort  of  religious 
veneration.  Once,  when  pushed  a  little,  more  closely  than 
common,  he  laid  down  his  knife  and  fork,  and  made  the  follow- 
ing solemn  reply : 

M  Senores,"  he  said,  "  I  look  upon  food  as  a  gift  from  God 
to  man,  and  hold  it  to  be  irreverent  to  converse  much,  when 
the  bounties  of  the  table  invite  us  to  do  homage  to  this  great 
dispenser.  Don  Christopher  is  of  this  way  of  thinking,  I 
know,  and  all  his  followers  imitate  their  beloved  and  venerated 
chief.  As  soon  as  I  am  ready  to  converse,  Senores  Don  Hidal- 
gos, you  shall  be  told  of  it,  and  then  God  help  the  ignorant  and 
silly  1" 

After  this  admonition,  there  remained  nothing  to  be  said  un- 
til Sancho's  appetite  was  satisfied,  when  he  drew  a  little  back 
from  the  table,  and  announced  his  readiness  to  proceed. 

"  I  profess  to  very  little  learning,  Senor  Pedro  Martir,"  he 
said  ;  "  but  what  I  have  seen  I  have  seen,  and  that  which  is 
known,  is  as  well  known  by  a  mariner,  as  by  a  doctor  of  Sala- 
manca. Ask  your  questions,  then,  o'  heaven's  sake,  and  expect 
such  answers  as  a  poor  but  honest  man  can  give." 

The  learned  Peter  Martyr  was  fain  to  make  the  best  of  his 
subject,  for  at  that  moment,  any  information  that  came  from 
what  might  be  termed  first  hands,  was  greedily  received  ;  he 
proceeded,  therefore,  to  his  inquiries,  as  simply  and  as  directly 
as  he  had  been  invited  to  do. 

"  Well,  Senor,"  commenced  the  man  of  learning,  "  we  are 


460  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

willing  to  obtain  knowledge  on  any  terms.  Prithee,  tell  us,  at 
once,  which  of  all  the  wonderful  things  that  you  witnessed  on 
this  voyage,  hath  made  the  deepest  impression  on  your  mind, 
and  striketh  you  as  the  most  remarkable  !" 

"  I  know  nothing  to  compare  with  the  whiffling  of  the  north 
star,"  said  Sancho,  promptly.  "That  star  hath  always  been 
esteemed  among  us  seamen,  as  being  immovable  as  the  cathe- 
dral of  Seville ;  but,  in  this  voyage,  it  hath  been  seen  to  change 
its  place,  with  the  inconstancy  of  the  winds." 

"  That  is,  indeed,  miraculous  !"  exclaimed  Peter  Martyr,  who 
scarcely  knew  how  to  take  the  intelligence  ;  "  perhaps  there  is 
some  mistake,  Master  Sancho,  and  you  are  not  accustomed  to 
sidereal  investigations. " 

"  Ask  Don  Christopher ;  when  the  phernomerthon,  as  the 
admiral  called  it,  was  first  observed,  we  talked  the  matter  over 
together,  and  came  to  the  conclusion,  that  nothing  in  this  world 
was  as  permanent  as  it  seemed  to  be.  Depend  on  it,  Senor 
Don  Pedro,  the  north  star  flits  about  like  a  weathercock." 

"  I  shall  inquire  into  this  of  the  illustrious  admiral ;  but, 
next  to  this  star,  Master  Sancho,  what  deem  you  most  worthy 
of  observation  ?  I  speak  now  of  ordinary  things,  leaving  science 
to  future  discussion." 

This  was  too  grave  a  question  to  be  lightly  answered,  and 
while  Sancho  was  cogitating  the  matter,  the  door  opened,  and 
Luis  de  Bobadilla  entered  the  room,  in  a  blaze  of  manly  grace 
and  rich  attire.  A  dozen  voices  uttered  his  name,  and  Peter 
Martyr  rose  to  receive  him,  with  a  manner  in  which  kindness 
of  feeling  was  blended  with  reproof. 

"I  asked  this  honor,  Senor  Conde,"  he  said,  "though  you 
have  now  been  beyond  my  counsel  and  control  some  time,  for 
it  appeared  to  me  that  one  fond  of  voyages  as  yourself,  might 
find  a  useful  lesson,  as  well  as  enjoy  a  high  satisfaction,  in 
listening  to  the  wonders  of  an  expedition  as  glorious  as  this  of 
Colon's.  This  worthy  seaman,  a  pilot,  no  doubt,  much  confided 
in  by  the  admiral,  hath  consented  to  share  in  our  poor  hospi- 
talities on  this  memorable  day,  and  is  about  to  give  us  many 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  461 

interesting  facts  and  incidents  of  the  great  adventure.  Master 
Sancho  Mundo,  this  is  Don  Luis  de  Bobadilla,  Conde  de  Llera, 
a  grandee  of  high  lineage,  and  one  that  is  not  unknown  to  the 
seas,  having  often  traversed  them  in  his  own  person." 

"  It  is  quite  unnecessary  to  tell  me  that,  Senor  Pedro,"  an- 
swered Sancho,  returning  Luis'  gay  and  graceful  salutation, 
with  profound,  but  awkward  respect,  "  since  I  see  it  at  a 
glance.  His  Excellency  hath  been  in  the  east,  as  well  as  Don 
Christopher  and  myself,  though  we  went  different  ways,  and 
neither  party  went  as  far  as  Cathay.  I  am  honored  in  your 
acquaintance,  Don  Luis,  and  shall  just  say  that  the  noble  admi- 
ral will  bring  navigation  more  in  fashion  than  it  hath  been  of 
late  years.  If  you  travel  in  the  neighborhood  of  Moguer,  I  beg 
you  will  not  pass  the  door  of  Sancho  Mundo  without  stopping 
to  inquire  if  he  be  within." 

"  That  I  most  cheerfully  promise,  worthy  master,"  said  Luis, 
laughing,  and  taking  a  seat,  "  even  though  it  lead  me  to  the 
ship-yard-gate.  And  now,  Senor  Pedro,  let  me  not  interrupt 
the  discourse,  which  I  discovered  was  most  interesting  as  I  en- 
tered." 

"  I  have  been  thinking  of  this  matter,  Senores,"  resumed  San- 
cho, gravely,  "and  the  fact  that  appears  most  curious  to  me,  next 
to  the  whiffling  of  the  north  star,  is  the  circumstance  that  there 
are  no  doblas  in  Cipango.  Gold  is  not  wanting,  and  it  seemeth 
passing  singular  that  a  people  should  possess  gold,  and  not 
bethink  them  of  the  convenience  of  striking  doblas,  or  some 
similar  coin." 

Peter  Martyr  and  his  young  pupils  laughed  at  this  sally,  and 
then  the  subject  was  pushed  in  another  form. 

"Passing  by  this  question,  which  belongeth  rather  to  the  poli- 
cy of  states  than  to  natural  phenomena,"  continued  Peter 
Martyr,  uwhat  most  struck  you  as  remarkable,  in  the  way  of 
human  nature  I" 

"  In  that  particular,  Senor,  I  think  the  island  of  the  women 
may  be  set  down  as  the  most  extraordinary  of  all  the  phcrnom- 
erthons  we  fell  in  with.     I  have  known  women  shut  themselves 
20 


462  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

up  in  convents ;  and  men,  too ;  but  never  did  I  hear,  before 
this  voyage,  of  either  shutting  themselves  up  in  islands  !" 

"  And  is  this  true  ?"  inquired  a  dozen  voices — "  did  you 
really  meet  with  such  an  island,  Seiior  81' 

"I  believe  we  saw  it  at  a  distance,  Senores;  and  I  hold  it 
to  be  lucky  that  we  went  no  nearer,  for  I  find  the  gossips  of 
Moguer  troublesome  enough,  without  meeting  a  whole  island 
of  them.  Then  there  is  the  bread  that  grows  like  a  root — what 
think  you  of  that,  Seiior  Don  Luis  ?  Is  it  not  a  most  curious 
dish  to  taste  of?" 

"  Nay,  Master  Sancho,  that  is  a  question  of  your  own  putting, 
and  it  must  be  one  of  your  own  answering.  What  know  I  of 
the  wonders  of  Cipango,  since  Candia  lieth  in  an  opposite 
course  ?     Answer  these  matters  for  thyself,  friend." 

"  True,  illustrious  Conde,  and  I  humbly  crave  your  pardon. 
It  is,  indeed,  the  duty  of  him  that  seeth  to  relate,  as  it  is  the 
duty  of  him  that  seeth  not  to  believe.  I  hope  all  here  will  per- 
form their  several  duties." 

"Do  these  Indians  eat  fiesh  as  remarkable  as  their  bread?" 
inquired  a  Cerda. 

"That  do  they,  noble  sir,  seeing  that  they  eat  each  other. 
Neither  I  nor  Don  Christopher  was  invited  to  any  of  their 
feasts  of  this  sort ;  for,  I  suppose,  they  were  well  convinced 
we  would  not  go ;  but  we  had  much  information  touching 
them,  and  by  the  nearest  calculation  I  could  make,  the  con- 
sumption of  men  in  the  island  of  Bohio  must  be  about  equal  to 
that  of  beeves  in  Spain. " 

The  speaker  was  interrupted  by  twenty  exclamations  of  dis- 
gust, and  Peter  Martyr  shook  his  head  like  one  who  distrusted 
the  truth  of  the  account.  Still,  as  he  had  not  expected  any 
very  profound  philosophy  or  deep  learning  in  one  of  Sancho' s 
character,  he  pursued  the  conversation. 

"  Know  you  any  thing  of  the  rare  birds  the  admiral  exhibited 
to  their  Highnesses  to-day  2"  he  asked. 

"  Seiior,  I  am  well  acquainted  with  several,  more  particularly 
with  the  parrots.     They  are  sensible  birds,  and,  I  doubt  not, 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  403 

might  answer  some  of  the  questions  that  are  put  to  me  "by  many 
here,  in  Barcelona,  to  their  perfect  satisfaction." 

"  Thou  art  a  wag,  I  see,  Seiior  Sancho,  and  lovest  thy  joke," 
answered  the  man  of  learning,  with  a  smile.  "  Give  way  to 
thy  fancy,  and  if  thou  canst  not  improve  us  with  thy  science, 
at  least  amuse  us  with  thy  conceits." 

"  San  Pedro  knows  that  I  would  do  any  thing  to  oblige  you, 
Senores ;  but  I  was  born  with  such  a  love  of  truth  in  my  heart, 
that  I  know  not  how  to  embellish.  What  I  see  I  believe,  and 
having  been  in  the  Indies,  I  cannot  shut  my  eyes  to  their  won- 
ders. There  was  the  sea  of  weeds,  which  was  no  every-day 
miracle,  since  I  make  no  doubt  that  the  devils  piled  all  these 
plants  on  the  water  to  prevent  us  from  carrying  the  cross  to  the 
poor  heathens  who  dwell  on  the  other  side  of  them.  We  got 
through  that  sea  more  by  our  prayers,  than  by  means  of  the 
winds." 

The  young  men  looked  at  Peter  Martyr,  to  ascertain  how  he 
received  this  theory,  and  Peter  Martyr,  if  tinctured  with  the 
superstition  of  the  age,  was  not  disposed  to  swallow  all  that  it 
pleased  Sancho  to  assert,  even  though  the  latter  had  made  a 
voyage  tc  the  Indies. 

"  Since  you  manifest  so  much  curiosity,  Senores,  on  the  sub- 
ject of  Colon,  now  Admiral  of  the  Ocean  Sea,  by  their  High- 
nesses' honorable  appointment,  I  will,  in  a  measure,  relieve  your 
minds  on  the  subject,  by  recounting  what  I  know,"  said  Luis, 
speaking  calmly,  but  with  dignity.  "  Ye  know  that  I  was 
much  with  Don  Christopher  before  he  sailed,  and  that  I  had 
some  little  connection  with  bringing  him  back  to  Santa  Fe, 
even  when  he  had  left  the  place,  as  was  supposed  for  the  last 
time.  This  intimacy  hath  been  renewed  since  the  arrival  of 
the  great  Genoese  at  Barcelona,  and  hours  have  we  passed 
together  in  private,  discoursing  on  the  events  of  the  last  few 
months.  What  I  have  thus  learned  I  am  ready  to  impart,  if 
ye  will  do  me  the  grace  to  listen." 

The  whole  company  giving  an  eager  assent,  Luis  now  com- 
menced a  general  narrative  of  the  voyage,  detailing  all  the  lead- 


464  MERCEDES      OF     CASTILE. 

ing  circumstances  of  interest,  and  giving  the  reasons  that  were 
most  in  favor  at  the  time,  concerning  the  different  phenomena 
that  had  perplexed  the  adventurers.  He  spoke  more  than  an 
hour;  proceeding  consecutively  from  island  to  island,  and 
dilating  on  their  productions,  imaginary  and  real.  Much  that 
he  related,  proceeded  from  the  misconceptions  of  the  admiral, 
and  misinterpretations  of  the  signs  and  language  of  the  Indians, 
as  a  matter  of  course  ;  but  it  was  all  told  clearly,  in  elegant,  if 
not  in  eloquent  language,  and  with  a  singular  air  of  truth.  In 
short,  our  hero  palmed  upon  his  audience  the  results  of  his  own 
observation,  as  the  narrative  of  the  admiral,  and  more  than  once 
was  he  interrupted  by  bursts  of  admiration  at  the  vividness  and 
graphic  beauties  of  his  descriptions.  Even  Sancho  listened 
with  delight,  and  when  the  young  man  concluded,  he  rose  from 
his  chair,  and  exclaimed  heartily — 

"  Sefiores,  you  may  take  all  this  as  so  much  gospel !  Had 
the  noble  Senor  witnessed,  himself,  that  which  he  hath  so  well 
described,  it  could  not  have  been  truer,  and  I  look  on  myself 
to  be  particularly  fortunate  to  have  heard  this  history  of  the 
voyage,  which  henceforth  shall  be  my  history,  word  for  word  ; 
for  as  my  patron  saint  shall  remember  me,  naught  else  will  I 
tell  to  the  gossips  of  Moguer,  when  I  get  back  to  that  blessed 
town  of  my  childhood." 

Sancho' s  influence  was  much  impaired  by  the  effects  of  Luis' 
narrative^  which  Peter  Martyr  pronounced  to  be  one  that  would 
have  done  credit  to  a  scholar  who  had  accompanied  the  expedi- 
tion. A  few  appeals  were  made  to  the  old  seaman,  to  see  if  he 
would  corroborate  the  statements  he  had  just  heard,  but  his 
protestations  became  so  much  the  louder  in  behalf  of  the  ac- 
curacy of  the  account. 

It  was  wonderful  how  much  reputation  the  Conde  de  Llera 
obtained  by  this  little  deception.  To  be  able  to  repeat,  with 
accuracy  and  effect,  language  that  was  supposed  to  have  fallen 
from  the  lips  of  Columbus,  was  a  sort  of  illustration ;  and  Peter 
Martyr,  who  justly  enjoyed  a  high  reputation  for  intelligence, 
was  heard  sounding  the  praises  of  our  hero  in  all  places,  his 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 


465 


young  pupils  echoing  liis  words  with  the  ardor  and  imitation  of 
youth  !  Such,  indeed,  was  the  vast  reputation  obtained  by  the 
Genoese,  that  one  gained  a  species  of  reflected  renown  by  being 
thought  to  live  in  his  confidence,  and  a  thousand  follies  of  the 
Count  of  Llera,  real  or  imaginary,  were  forgotten  in  the  fact 
that  the  admiral  had  deemed  him  worthy  of  being  the  reposi- 
tory of  facts  and  feelings  such  as  he  had  related.  As  Luis, 
moreover,  was  seen  to  be  much  in  the  company  of  Don  Chris- 
topher, the  world  was  very  willing  to  give  the  young  man  cred- 
it for  qualities  that,  by  some  unexplained  circumstance,  had 
hitherto  escaped  its  notice.  In  this  manner  did  Luis  de  Boba- 
dilla  reap  some  advantages,  of  a  public  character,  from  his  res- 
olution and  enterprise,  although  vastly  less  than  would  have 
attended  an  open  admission  of  all  that  occurred.  How  far,  and 
in  what  manner,  these  qualities  availed  him  in  his  suit  with 
Mercedes,  will  appear  in  our  subsequent  pages. 


406  MERCEDES      OF     CASTILE 


CHAPTER    XXVIII. 

44  Each  look,  each  motion,  waked  a  new-born  grace, 
That  o'er  her  form  its  transient  glory  cast : 
Some  lovelier  wonder  soon  usurpM  the  place, 
Chased  by  a  charm  still  lovelier  than  the  last." 

Mason. 

The  day  of  the  reception  of  Columbus  at  Barcelona,  had 
been  one  of  tumultuous  feelings  and  of  sincere  delight,  with  the 
ingenuous  and  pure-minded  Queen  of  Castile.  She  had  been 
the  moving  spirit  of  the  enterprise,  as  it  was  connected  with 
authority  and  means,  and  never  was  a  sovereign  more  amply 
rewarded,  by  a  consciousness  of  the  magnitude  of  the  results 
that  followed  her  well-meant  and  zealous  efforts. 

When  the  excitement  and  bustle  of  the  day  were  over,  Isa- 
bella retired  to  her  closet,  and  there,  as  was  usual  with  her  on 
all  great  occasions,  she  poured  out  her  thankfulness  on  her 
knees,  entreating  the  Divine  Providence  to  sustain  her  under 
the  new  responsibilities  she  felt,  and  to  direct  her  steps  aright, 
equally  as  a  sovereign  and  as  a  Christian  woman.  She  had  left 
the  attitude  of  prayer  but  a  few  minutes,  and  was  seated  with 
her  head  leaning  on  her  hand,  in  deep  meditation,  when  a  slight 
knock  at  the  door  called  her  attention.  There  was  but  one  per- 
son in  Spain  who  would  be  likely  to  take  even  this  liberty, 
guarded  and  modest  as  was  the  tap ;  rising,  she  turned  the  key 
and  admitted  the  king. 

Isabella  was  still  beautiful.  Her  form,  always  of  admirable 
perfection,  still  retained  its  grace.  Her  eyes  had  lost  but  little 
of  their  lustre,  and  her  smile,  ever  sweet  and  beneficent,  failed 
not  to  reflect  the  pure  and  womanly  impulses  of  her  heart.  In 
a  word,  her  youthful  beauty  had  been  but  little  impaired  by  the 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  467 

usual  transition  to  the  matronly  attractions  of  a  wife  and  a  moth- 
er ;  but  this  night,  all  her  youthful  charms  seemed  to  be  sud- 
denly renewed.  Her  cheek  was  flushed  with  holy  enthusiasm ; 
her  figure  dilated  with  the  sublimity  of  the  thoughts  in  which 
she  had  been  indulging ;  and  her  eyes  beamed  with  the  enno- 
bling hopes  of  religious  enthusiasm.  Ferdinand  was  struck  with 
this  little  change,  and  he  stood  admiring  her,  for  a  minute,  in 
silence,  after  he  had  closed  the  door. 

"Is  not  this  a  most  wonderful  reward,  for  efforts  so  small, my 
husband  and  love?"  exclaimed  the  queen,  who  fancied  the  king's 
thoughts  similar  to  her  own  ;  "  a  new  empire  thus  cheaply  pur- 
chased, with  riches  that  the  imagination  cannot  tell,  and  millions 
of  souls  to  be  redeemed  from  eternal  woe,  by  means  of  a  grace 
that  must  be  as  unexpected  to  themselves,  as  the  knowledge  of 
their  existence  hath  been  to  us !" 

"  Ever  thinking,  Isabella,  of  the  welfare  of  souls  !  But  thou 
art  right ;  for  what  are  the  pomps  and  glories  of  the  world  to 
the  hopes  of  salvation,  and  the  delights  of  heaven !  I  confess 
Colon  hath  much  exceeded  all  my  hopes,  and  raised  such  a  fu- 
ture for  Spain,  that  the  mind  scarce  knoweth  where  to  place  the 
limits  to  its  pictures." 

"Think  of  the  millions  of  poor  Indians  that  may  live  to  bless 
our  sway,  and  to  feel  the  influence  and  consolations  of  holy 
church !" 

"I  trust  that  our  kinsman  and  neighbor,  Dom  Joao,  will  not 
give  us  trouble  in  this  matter.  Your  Portuguese  have  so  keen 
an  appetite  for  discoveries,  that  they  little  relish  the  success  of 
other  powers  ;  and,  it  is  said,  many  dangerous  and  wicked  pro- 
posals were  made  to  the  king,  even  while  our  caravels  lay  in  the 
Tagus." 

"  Colon  assureth  me,  Fernando,  that  he  doubteth  if  these  In- 
dians have  now  any  religious  creed,  so  that  our  ministers  wrill 
have  no  prejudices  to  encounter,  in  presenting  to  their  simple 
minds  the  sublime  truths  of  the  gospel !" 

"  No  doubt  the  admiral  hath  fully  weighed  these  matters.  It 
is  his  opinion,  that  the  island  he  hath  called  Espanola  wanteth 


468  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

but  little  of  being  of  the  full  dimensions  of  Castile,  Leon, 
Aragon,  Granada,  and,  indeed,  of  all  our  possessions  within  the 
peninsula  I" 

"  Didst  thou  attend  to  what  he  said,  touching  the  gentleness 
and  mildness  of  the  inhabitants  ?  And  wert  thou  not  struck 
with  the  simple,  confiding  aspects  of  those  he  hath  brought 
with  him  ?  Such  a  people  may  readily  be  brought,  first,  as  is 
due,  to  worship  the  one  true  and  living  God,  and  next,  to  regard 
their  sovereigns  as  kind  and  benignant  parents." 

"  Authority  can  ever  make  itself  respected ;  and  Don  Chris- 
topher hath  assured  me,  in  a  private  conference,  that  a  thousand 
tried  lances  would  overrun  all  that  eastern  region.  We  must 
make  early  application  to  the  Holy  Father  to  settle  such  limits 
between  us  and  Don  John,  as  may  prevent  disputes,  hereafter, 
touching  our  several  interests.  I  have  already  spoken  to  the 
cardinal  on  this  subject,  and  he  flattereth  me  with  the  hope  of 
having  the  ear  of  Alexander." 

"  I  trust  that  the  means  of  disseminating  the  faith  of  the  cross 
will  not  be  overlooked  in  the  negotiation  ;  for  it  paineth  me  to 
find  churchmen  treating  of  worldly  things,  to  the  utter  neglect 
of  those  of  their  Great  Master." 

Don  Ferdinand  regarded  his  wife  intently  for  an  instant, 
without  making  any  reply.  He  perceived,  as  often  happened 
in  questions  of  policy,  that  their  feelings  were  not  exactly 
attuned,  and  he  had  recourse  to  an  allusion  that  seldom  failed 
to  draw  the  thoughts  of  Isabella  from  their  loftier  aspirations  to 
considerations  more  worldly,  when  rightly  applied. 

"  Thy  children,  Dona  Isabella,  will  reap  a  goodly  heritage 
by  the  success  of  this,  our  latest  and  greatest  stroke  of  policy  ! 
Thy  dominions  and  mine  will  henceforth  descend  in  common  to 
the  same  heir ;  then  this  marriage  in  Portugal  may  open  the 
way  to  new  accessions  of  territory  ;  Granada  is  already  secured 
to  thine,  by  our  united  arms ;  and  here  hath  Providence  opened 
the  way  to  an  empire  in  the  east,  that  promiseth  to  outdo  all 
that  hath  yet  been  performed  in  Europe." 

"  Are  not  my  children  thine,  Fernando  ?     Can  good  happen 


MERCEDES      OF     CASTILE.  469 

to  one,  without  its  equally  befalling  the  other  ?  I  trust  they 
will  learn  to  understand  why  so  many  new  subjects  and  such 
wide  territories  are  added  to  their  possessions,  and  will  ever  re- 
main true  to  their  highest  and  first  duty,  that  of  spreading  the 
gospel,  that  the  sway  of  the  one  Catholic  church  may  the  more 
speedily  be  accomplished." 

"  Still  it  may  be  necessary  to  secure  advantages  that  are 
offered  in  a  worldly  shape,  by  worldly  means." 

"  Thou  say'st  true,  my  lord  ;  and  it  is  the  proper  care  of 
loving  parents  to  look  well  to  the  interest  of  their  offspring  in 
this,  as  in  all  other  particulars." 

Isabella  now  lent  a  more  willing  ear  to  the  politic  sugges- 
tions of  her  consort,  and  they  passed  an  hour  in  discussing 
some  of  the  important  measures  that  it  was  thought  their  joint 
interests  required  should  be  immediately  attended  to.  After 
this,  Ferdinand  saluted  his  wife  affectionately,  and  withdrew 
to  his  own  cabinet,  to  labor,  as  usual,  until  his  frame  demanded 
rest. 

Isabella  sat  musing  for  a  few  minutes  after  the  king  had  re- 
tired, and  then  she  took  a  light  and  proceeded  through  certain 
private  passages,  with  which  she  was  familiar,  to  the  apartment 
of  her  daughters.  Here  she  spent  an  hour,  indulging  in  the 
affections  and  discharging  the  duties  of  a  careful  mother,  when, 
embracing  each  in  turn,  she  gave  her  blessings,  and  left  the 
place  in  the  same  simple  manner  as  she  had  entered.  Instead, 
however,  of  returning  to  her  own  part  of  the  palace,  she  pur- 
sued her  way  in  an  opposite  direction,  until,  reaching  a  private 
door,  she  gently  tapped.  A  voice  within  bade  her  enter,  and 
complying,  the  Queen  of  Castile  found  herself  alone  with  her 
old  and  tried  friend,  the  Marchioness  of  Moya.  A  quiet  gesture 
forbade  all  the  usual  testimonials  of  respect,  and  knowing  her 
mistress'  wishes  in  this  particular,  the  hostess  received  her 
illustrious  guest,  much  as  she  would  have  received  an  intimate 
of  her  own  rank  in  life. 

"  We  have  had  so  busy  and  joyful  a  day,  Daughter-Mar- 
chioness," the  queen  commenced,  quietly  setting  down  the  little 


470  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

silver  lamp  she  carried,  "that  I  had  near  forgotten  a  duty 
which  ought  not  to  be  overlooked.  Thy  nephew,  the  Count  de 
Llera,  hath  returned  to  court,  bearing  himself  as  modestly  and 
as  prudently,  as  if  he  had  no  share  in  the  glory  of  this  great 
success  of  Colon's  !" 

"  Seiiora,  Luis  is  here,  but  whether  prudent  or  modest,  I 
leave  for  others,  who  may  be  less  partial,  to  say." 

"  To  me  such  seemeth  to  be  his  deportment,  and  a  young 
mind  might  be  pardoned  some  exultation  at  such  a  result.  But 
I  have  come  to  speak  of  Don  Luis  and  thy  ward.  Now 
that  thy  nephew  hath  given  me  this  high  proof  of  his  perseve- 
rance and  courage,  there  can  remain  no  longer  any  reason  for 
forbidding  their  union.  Thou  know'st  that  I  hold  the  pledged 
word  of  Dona  Mercedes,  not  to  marry  without  my  consent,  and 
this  night  will  I  make  her  happy  as  I  feel  myself,  by  leaving 
her  mistress  of  her  own  wishes ;  nay,  by  letting  her  know 
that  I  desire  to  see  her  Countess  of  Llera,  and  that  right 
speedily." 

"Your  Highness  is  all  goodness  to  me  and  mine,"  returned 
the  Marchioness,  coldly.  "  Mercedes  ought  to  feel  deeply 
grateful  that  her  royal  mistress  hath  a  thought  for  her  welfare, 
when  her  mind  hath  so  many  greater  concerns  to  occupy  it." 

"It  is  that,  my  friend,  that  hath  brought  me  hither  at  this 
late  hour.  My  soul  is  truly  burdened  with  gratitude,  and  ere 
I  sleep,  were  it  possible,  I  would  fain  make  all  as  blessed  as  I 
feel  myself.     Where  is  thy  ward  ?" 

"  She  left  me  for  the  night,  but  as  your  Highness  entered. 
I  will  summon  her  to  hear  your  pleasure." 

"  We  will  go  to  her,  Beatriz  ;  tidings  such  as  I  bring,  should 
not  linger  on  weary  feet." 

"  It  is  her  duty,  and  it  would  be  her  pleasure  to  pay  all  re- 
spect, Seiiora." 

"  I  know  that  well,  Marchioness,  but  it  is  my  pleasure  to  bear 
this  news  myself,"  interrupted  the  queen,  leading  the  way  to 
the  door.  "  Show  thou  the  way,  which  is  better  known  to  thee 
than  to  another.     We  go  with  little  state  and  ceremony,  as 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  47l 

thou  seest,  like  Colon  going  forth  to  explore  his  unknown  seas, 
and  we  go  bearers  of  tidings  as  grateful  to  thy  ward,  as  those  the 
Genoese  bore  to  the  benighted  natives  of  Cipango.  These  cor- 
ridors are  our  trackless  seas,  and  all  these  intricate  passages,  the 
hidden  ways  we  are  to  explore." 

"  Heaven  grant  your  Highness  make  not  some  discovery  as 
astounding  as  that  which  the  Genoese  hath  just  divulged.  For 
myself,  I  scarce  know  whether  to  believe  all  things,  or  to  grant 
faith  to  none." 

u  I  wonder  not  at  thy  surprise ;  it  is  a  feeling  that  hath  over- 
come all  others,  through  the  late  extraordinary  events,"  answered 
the  queen,  evidently  misconceiving  the  meaning  of  her  friend's 
words.  "But  we  have  still  another  pleasure  in  store  :  that  of 
witnessing  the  joy  of  a  pure  female  heart  which  hath  had  its 
trials,  and  which  hath  borne  them  as  became  a  Christian 
maiden." 

Dona  Beatriz  sighed  heavily,  but  she  made  no  answer.  By 
this  time  they  were  crossing  the  little  saloon  in  which  Mer- 
cedes was  permitted  to  receive  her  female  acquaintances,  and 
were  near  the  door  of  her  chamber.  Here  they  met  a  maid, 
who  hastened  onward  to  inform  her  mistress  of  the  visit  she 
was  about  to  receive.  Isabella  was  accustomed  to  use  a  moth- 
er's liberties  with  those  she  loved,  and,  opening  the  door,  with- 
out ceremony,  she  stood  before  our  heroine,  ere  the  latter  could 
advance  to  meet  her. 

"Daughter,"  commenced  the  queen,  seating  herself,  and 
smiling  benignantly  on  the  startled  girl,  "  I  have  come  to  dis- 
charge a  solemn  duty.  Kneel  thou  here,  at  my  feet,  and  listen 
to  thy  sovereign  as  thou  wouldst  listen  to  a  mother." 

Mercedes  gladly  obeyed,  for,  at  that  moment,  any  thing  was 
preferable  to  being  required  to  speak.  When  she  had  knelt, 
the  queen  passed  an  arm  affectionately  round  her  neck,  and 
drew  her  closer  to  her  person,  until,  by  a  little  gentle  violence, 
the  face  of  Mercedes  was  hid  in  the  folds  of  Isabella's  robe. 

"  I  have  all  reason  to  extol  *thy  faith  and  duty,  child,"  said 
the  queen,  as  soon  as  this  little  arrangement  to  favor  the  feel- 


472  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

ings  of  Mercedes,  had  been  considerately  made ;  "  thou  hast 
not  forgotten  thy  promise,  in  aught ;  and  my  object,  now,  is  to 
leave  thee  mistress  of  thine  own  inclinations,  and  to  remove  all 
impediments  to  their  exercise.  Thou  hast  no  longer  any  pledge 
with  thy  sovereign  ;  for  one  who  hath  manifested  so  much  discre- 
tion and  delicacy,  may  be  surely  trusted  with  her  own  happiness." 

Mercedes  continued  silent,  though  Isabella  fancied  that  she 
felt  a  slight  shudder  passing  convulsively  through  her  delicate 
frame. 

"No  answer,  daughter?  Is  it  more  preferable  to  leave 
another  arbitress  of  thy  fate,  than  to  exercise  that  office  for 
thyself?  Well,  then,  as  thy  sovereign  and  parent,  I  will  sub- 
stitute command  for  consent,  and  tell  thee  it  is  my  wish  and 
desire  that  thou  becomest,  as  speedily  as  shall  comport  with 
propriety  and  thy  high  station,  the  wedded  wife  of  Don  Luis 
de  Bobadilla,  Conde  de  Llera." 

"  No — no — no — Senora — never — never" —  murmured  Mer- 
cedes, her  voice  equally  stifled  by  her  emotions,  and  by  the 
manner  in  which  she  had  buried  her  face  in  the  dress  of  the 
queen. 

Isabella  looked  at  the  Marchioness  of  Moya  in  wonder.  Her 
countenance  did  not  express  either  displeasure  or  resentment, 
for  she  too  well  knew  the  character  of  our  heroine  to  suspect 
caprice,  or  any  weak  prevarication  in  a  matter  that  so  deeply 
touched  the  feelings ;  and  the  concern  she  felt  was  merely  over- 
shadowed at  the  suddenness  of  the  intelligence,  by  a  feeling  of 
ungovernable  surprise. 

"  Canst  thou  explain  this,  Beatriz  f"  the  queen  at  length  in- 
quired. "  Have  I  done  harm,  where  I  most  intended  good  ?  I 
am  truly  unfortunate,  for  I  appear  to  have  deeply  wounded  the 
heart  of  this  child,  at  the  very  moment  I  fancied  I  was  confer- 
ring supreme  happiness  I" 

"No — no — no — Senora,' ?  again  murmured  Mercedes,  cling- 
ing convulsively  to  the  queen's  knees.  "Your  Highness  hath 
wounded  no  one — would  wound  no  one — can  wound  no  one — 
you  are  all  gracious  goodness  and  though tfulness." 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE,  473 

u  Beatriz,  I  look  to  thee  for  the  explanation  !  Hath  aught 
justifiable  occurred  to  warrant  this  change  of  feeling  !" 

"  I  fear,  dearest  Seiiora,  that  the  feelings  continue  too  much 
as  formerly,  and  that  the  change  is  not  in  this  young  and  un- 
practised heart,  but  in  the  fickle  inclinations  of  man." 

A  flash  of  womanly  indignation  darted  from  the  usually 
serene  eyes  of  the  queen,  and  her  form  assumed  all  of  its  native 
majesty. 

"  Can  this  be  true?"  she  exclaimed.  "  "Would  a  subject  of 
Castile  dare  thus  to  trifle  with  his  sovereign — thus  to  trifle  with 
one  sweet  and  pure  as  this  girl — thus  to  trifle  with  his  faith 
with  God !  If  the  reckless  Conde  thinketh  to  do  these  acts 
of  wrongfulness  with  impunity,  let  him  look  to  it !  Shall  I  pun- 
ish him  that  merely  depriveth  his  neighbor  of  some  paltry 
piece  of  silver,  and  let  him  escape  who  woundeth  the  soul  ?  I 
wonder  at  thy  calmness,  Daughter-Marchioness;  thou,  who  art 
so  wont  to  let  an  honest  indignation  speak  out  in  the  just  lan- 
guage of  a  fearless  and  honest  spirit !" 

"  Alas  !  Seiiora,  my  beloved  mistress,  my  feelings  have  had 
vent  already,  and  nature  will  no  more.  This  boy,  moreover,  is 
my  brother's  son,  and  when  I  would  fain  arouse  a  resentment 
against  him,  such  as  bcfitteth  his  offence,  the  image  of  that  dear 
brother,  whose  very  picture  he  is,  hath  arisen  to  my  mind  in  a 
way  to  weaken  all  its  energy." 

"  This  is  most  unusual !  A  creature  so  fair — so  young — so 
noble — so  rich — every  way  so  excellent,  to  be  so  soon  forgot- 
ten !  Canst  thou  account  for  it  by  any  wandering  inclination, 
Lady  of  Moya  ?" 

Isabella  spoke  musingly,  and,  as  one  of  her  high  rank  is  apt 
to  overlook  minor  considerations,  when  the  feelings  are  strongly 
excited,  she  did  not  remember  that  Mercedes  was  a  listener. 
The  convulsive  shudder  that  again  shook  the  frame  of  our 
heroine,  however,  did  not  fail  to  remind  her  of  this  fact,  and 
the  queen  could  not  have  pressed  the  Princess  Juana  more 
fondly  to  her  heart,  than  she  now  drew  the  yielding  form  of  our 
heroine. 


474  M-ERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

"  What  would  you,  Senora?"  returned  the  marchioness, 
bitterly.  "Luis,  thoughtless  and  unprincipled  boy  as  he  is, 
hath  induced  a  youthful  Indian  princess  to  abandon  home  and 
friends,  under  the  pretence  of  swelling  the  triumph  of  the  ad- 
miral, but  really,  in  obedience  to  a  wandering  fancy,  and  in 
submission  to  those  evil  caprices,  that  make  men  what,  in  sooth, 
they  are,  and  which  so  often  render  unhappy  women  their 
dupes  and  their  victims." 

"An  Indian  princess,  say'st  thou?  The  admiral  made  one 
of  that  rank  known  to  us,  but  she  was  already  a  wife,  and  far 
from  being  one  to  rival  Dona  Mercedes  of  Valverde." 

"Ah !  dearest  Senora,  she  of  whom  you  sped,£  will  not  com- 
pare with  her  I  mean — Ozema — for  so  is  the  Indian  lady  called 
— Ozema  is  a  different  being,  and  is  not  without  high  claims 
to  personal  beauty.  Could  mere  personal  appearances  justify 
the  conduct  of  the  boy,  he  would  not  be  altogether  without 
excuse." 

"  How  know'st  thou  this,  Beatriz?" 

"  Because,  your  Highness,  Luis  hath  brought  her  to  the  pal- 
ace, and  she  is,  at  this  moment,  in  these  very  apartments.  Mer- 
cedes hath  received  her  like  a  sister,  even  while  the  stranger 
hath  unconsciously  crushed  her  heart." 

"Here,  say'st  thou,  Marchioness?  Then  can  there  be  no 
vicious  union  between  the  thoughtless  young  man  and  the 
stranger.  Thy  nephew  would  not  thus  presume  to  offend  virtue 
and  innocence." 

"  Of  that  we  complain  not,  Senora.  'Tis  the  boyish  incon- 
stancy and  thoughtless  cruelty  of  the  count,  that  hath  awakened 
my  feelings  against  him.  Never  have  I  endeavored  to  influence 
my  ward  to  favor  his  suit,  for  I  would  not  that  they  should  have 
it  in  their  power  to  say  I  sought  a  union  so  honorable  and  ad- 
vantageous to  our  house ;  but  now  do  I  most  earnestly  desire 
her  to  steel  her  noble  heart  to  his  unworthiness." 

"  Ah !  Senora — my  guardian,"  murmured  Mercedes,  "  Luis  is 
not  so  very  culpable.  Ozema' s  beauty,  and  my  own  want  of  the 
means  to  keep  him  true,  are  alone  to  blame." 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  475 

"  Ozema' s  beauty!"  slowly  repeated  the  queen.  "  Is  this 
young  Indian,  then,  so  very  perfect,  Beatriz,  that  thy  ward  need 
fear  or  envy  her  ?     I  did  not  think  that  such  a  being  lived !" 

"Your  Highness  knoweth  how  it  is  with  men.  They  love 
novelties,  and  are  most  captivated  with  the  freshest  faces.  San 
Iago  ! — Andres  de  Cabrera  hath  caused  me  to  know  this,  though 
it  were  a  crime  to  suppose  any  could  teach  this  hard  lesson  to 
Isabella  of  Trastamara." 

"Kestrain  thy  strong  and  impetuous  feelings,  Daughter- 
Marchioness,"  returned  the  queen,  glancing  her  eye  at  the 
bowed  form  of  Mercedes,  whose  head  was  now  buried  in  her 
lap;  "truth  seldom  asserts  its  fullest  power  when  the  heart  is 
overflowing  with  feeling.  Don  Andres  hath  been  a  loyal  sub- 
ject, and  doth  justice  to  thy  merit ;  and,  as  to  my  lord  the 
king,  he  is  the  father  of  my  children,  as  well  as  thy  sovereign. 
But,  touching  this  Ozema — can  I  see  her,  Beatriz?" 

"You  have  only  to  command,  Seiiora,  to  see  whom  you 
please.  But  Ozema  is,  no  doubt,  at  hand,  and  can  be  brought 
into  your  presence  as  soon  as  it  may  please  your  Highness  to 
order  it  done." 

uNay,  Beatriz,  if  she  be  a  princess,  and  a  stranger  in  the 
kingdom,  there  is  a  consideration  due  to  her  rank  and  to  her 
position.  Let  Dona  Mercedes  go  and  prepare  her  to  receive  us ; 
I  will  visit  her  in  her  own  apartment.  The  hour  is  late,  but 
she  will  overlook  the  want  of  ceremony  in  the  desire  to  do  her 
service." 

Mercedes  did  not  wait  a  second  bidding,  but,  rising  from  her 
knees,  she  hastened  to  do  as  the  queen  had  suggested.  Isabella 
and  the  marchioness  were  silent  some  little  time,  when  left  to 
themselves ;  then  the  former,  as  became  her  rank,  opened  the 
discourse. 

"  It  is  remarkable,  Beatriz,  that  Colon  should  not  have  spoken 
to  me  of  this  princess  !"  she  said.  "  One  of  her  condition  ought 
not  to  have  entered  Spain  with  so  little  ceremony." 

"  The  admiral  hath  deemed  her  the  chosen  subject  of  Luis' 
care,  and  hath  left  her  to  be  presented  to  your  Highness  by  my 


476  MERCEDES     OF      CASTILE. 

recreant  nephew.  Ah,  Senora !  is  it  not  wonderful,  that  one 
like*  Mercedes  could  be  so  soon  supplanted  by  a  half-naked,  un- 
baptized,  benighted  being,  on  whom  the  church  hath  never  yet 
smiled,  and  whose  very  soul  may  be  said  to  be  in  jeopardy  of 
instantaneous  condemnation  ?" 

"That  soul  must  be  cared  for,  Beatriz,  and  that  right  quickly. 
Is  the  princess  really  of  sufficient  beauty  to  supplant  a  creature 
as  lovely  as  the  Dona  Mercedes?" 

"It  is  not  that,  Senora — it  is  not  that.  But  men  are  fickle 
- — and  they  so  love  novelties  !  Then  is  the  modest  restraint  of 
cultivated  manners  less  winning  to  them,  than  the  freedom  of 
those  who  deem  even  clothes  superfluous.  I  mean  not  to  ques- 
tion the  modesty  cf  Ozema ;  for,  according  to  her  habits,  she 
seemeth  irreproachable  in  this  respect;  but  the  ill-regulated 
fancy  of  a  thoughtless  boy  may  find  a  momentary  attraction  in 
her  unfettered  conduct  and  half-attired  person,  that  is  wanting 
to  the  air  and  manners  of  a  high-born  Spanish  damsel,  who 
hath  been  taught  rigidly  to  respect  herself  and  her  sex." 

"  This  may  be  true,  as  toucheth  the  vulgar,  Beatriz,  but 
such  unworthy  motives  can  never  influence  the  Conde  de 
Llera.  If  thy  nephew  hath  really  proved  the  recreant  thou 
supposest,  this  Indian  princess  must  be  of  more  excellence  than 
we  have  thought." 

"Of  that,  Senora,  you  can  soon  judge  for  yourself;  here  is 
the  maiden  of  Mercedes  to  inform  us  that  the  Indian  is  ready 
to  receive  the  honor  that  your  Highness  intendeth." 

Our  heroine  had  prepared  Ozema  to  meet  the  queen.  By 
this  time,  the  young  Haytian  had  caught  so  many  Spanish 
words,  that  verbal  communication  with  her  was  far  from  dif- 
ficult, though  she  still  spoke  in  the  disconnected  and  abrupt 
manner  of  one  to  whom  the  language  was  new.  She  under* 
stood  perfectly  that  she  was  to  meet  that  beloved  sovereign,  of 
whom  Luis  and  Mercedes  had  so  often  spoken  with  reverence ; 
and  accustomed,  herself,  to  look  up  to  caciques  greater  than  her 
brother,  there  was  no  difficulty  in  making  her  understand  that 
the  person  she  was  now  about  to  receive  was  the  first  of  her  sex 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  477 

in  Spain.  The  only  misconception  which  existed,  arose  from 
the  circumstance  that  Ozema  believed  Isabella  to  be  the  queen 
of  all  the  Christian  world,  instead  of  being  the  queen  of  a  par- 
ticular country ;  for,  in  her  imagination,  both  Luis  and  Mercedes 
were  persons  of  royal  station. 

Although  Isabella  was  prepared  to  see  a  being  of  surprising 
perfection  of  form,  she  started  with  surprise,  as  her  eye  first  fell 
on  Ozema.  It  was  not  so  much  the  beauty  of  the  young  In- 
dian that  astonished  her,  as  the  native  grace  of  her  movements, 
the  bright  and  happy  expression  of  her  countenance,  and  the 
perfect  self-possession  of  her  mien  and  deportment.  Ozema 
had  got  accustomed  to  a  degree  "of  dress  that  she  would  have 
found  oppressive  at  Hayti ;  the  sensitiveness  of  Mercedes,  on 
the  subject  of  female  propriety,  having  induced  her  to  lavish 
on  her  new  friend  many  rich  articles  of  attire,  that  singularly, 
though  wildly,  contributed  to  aid  her  charms.  Still  the  gift 
of  Luis  was  thrown  over  one  shoulder,  as  the  highest-prized 
part  of  her  wardrobe,  and  the  cross  of  Mercedes  rested  on  her 
bosom,  the  most  precious  of  all  her  ornaments. 

"This  is  wonderful,  Beatriz !"  exclaimed  the  queen,  as  she 
stood  at  one  side  of  the  room,  while  Ozema  bowed  her  body  in 
graceful  reverence  on  the  other ;  "  can  this  rare  being  really 
have  a  soul  that  knoweth  naught  of  its  God  and  Redeemer  ! 
But  let  her  spirit  be  benighted  as  it  may,  there  is  no  vice  in 
that  simple  mind,  or  deceit  in  that  pure  heart." 

"  Senora,  all  this  is  true.  Spite  of  our  causes  of  dissatisfac- 
tion, my  ward  and  I  both  love  her  already,  and  could  take  her  to 
our  hearts  forever ;    one  as  a  friend,  and  the  other  as  a  parent." 

M  Princess,"  said  the  queen,  advancing  with  quiet  dignity 
to  the  spot  where  Ozema  stood,  with  downcast  eyes  and  bended 
body,  waiting  her  pleasure,  "  thou  art  welcome  to  our  domin- 
ions. The  admiral  hath  done  well  in  not  classing  one  of  thy 
evident  claims  and  station  among  those  whom  he  hath  exhibited 
to  vulgar  eyes.  In  this  he  hath  shown  his  customary  judg- 
ment, no  less  than  his  deep  respect  for  the  sacred  office  of 
sovereigns." 


478  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

"  Almirante  !"  exclaimed  Ozema,  her  looks  brightening  with 
intelligence,  for  she  had  long  known  how  to  pronounce  the 
well-earned  title  of  Columbus ;  "  Almirante,  Mercedes  —  Isa- 
bella, Mercedes — Luis,  Mercedes,  Senora  Keyna." 

"  Beatriz,  what  meaneth  this  ?  Why  doth  the  princess  coup- 
le the  name  of  thy  ward  with  that  of  Colon,  with  mine,  and 
even  with  that  of  the  young  Count  of  Llera?" 

"  Senora,  by  some  strange  delusion,  she  hath  got  to  think 
that  Mercedes  is  the  Spanish  term  for  every  thing  that  is  ex- 
cellent or  perfect,  and  thus  doth  she  couple  it  with  all  that  she 
most  desireth  to  praise.  Your  Highness  must  observe  that  she 
even  united  Luis  and  Mercedes,  a  union  that  we  once  fondly 
hoped  might  happen,  but  which  now  would  seem  to  be  impossi- 
ble ;  and  which  she  herself  must  be  the  last  really  to  wish." 

" Strange  delusion!"  repeated  the  queen;  "the  idea  hath 
had  its  birth  in  some  particular  cause,  for  things  like  this  come 
not  of  accidents;  who  but  thy  nephew,  Beatriz,  would  know 
aught  of  thy  ward,  or  who  but  he  would  have  taught  the  prin- 
cess to  deem  her  very  name  a  sign  of  excellence  ?" 

"Senora!"  exclaimed  Mercedes,  the  color  mounting  to  her 
pale  cheek,  and  joy  momentarily  flashing  in  her  eyes,  "  can 
this  be  so  ?" 

"  Why  not,  daughter?  We  may  have  been  too  hasty  in 
this  matter,  and  mistaken  what  are  truly  signs  of  devotion  to 
thee,  for  proofs  of  fickleness  and  inconstancy." 

"  Ah  !  Senora  !  but  this  can  never  be,  else  would  not  Ozema 
so  love  him." 

"  How  know'st  thou,  child,  that  the  princess  hath  any  other 
feeling  for  the  count  than  that  which  properly  belongeth  to  one 
who  is  grateful  for  his  care,  and  for  the  inexpressible  service  of 
being  made  acquainted  with  the  virtues  of  the  cross  ?  Here  is 
some  rash  error,  Beatriz." 

"  I  fear  not,  your  Highness.  Touching  the  nature  of  Oze- 
ma's  feelings,  there  can  be  no  misconception,  since  the  inno- 
cent and  unpractised  creature  hath  not  art  sufficient  to  conceal 
them.     That  her  heart  is  all  Luis',  we  discovered  in  the  first 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  479 

few  hours  of  our  intercourse;  and  it  is  too  pure,  unsought,  to 
be  won.  The  feeling  of  the  Indian  is  not  merely  admiration, 
but  it  is  such  a  passionate  devotion,  as  partaketh  of  the  warmth 
of  that  sun,  which,  we  are  told,  glows  with  a  heat  so  genial  in 
her  native  clime." 

"  Could  one  see  so  much  of  Don  Luis,  Senora,"  added  Mer- 
cedes, "  under  circumstances  to  try  his  martial  virtues,  and  so 
long  daily  be  in  communion  with  his  excellent  heart,  and  not 
come  to  view  him  as  far  above  all  others  ?" 

"Martial  virtues — excellent  heart!" — slowly  repeated  the 
queen,  "and  yet  so  regardless  of  the  wrong  he  doeth!  He  is 
neither  knight  nor  cavalier  worthy  of  the  sex,  if  what  thou 
thinkest  be  true,  child." 

"  Nay,  Senora,"  earnestly  resumed  the  girl,  whose  diffidence 
was  yielding  to  the  wish  to  vindicate  our  hero,  "  the  princess 
hath  told  us  of  the  manner  in  which  he  rescued  her  from  her 
greatest  enemy  and  persecutor,  Caonabo,  a  headstrong  and 
tyrannical  sovereign  of  her  island,  and  of  his  generous  self- 
devotion  in  her  behalf." 

"Daughter,  do  thou  withdraw,  and,  first  calling  on  Holy 
Maria  to  intercede  for  thee,  seek  the  calm  of  religious  peace 
and  submission,  on  thy  pillow.  Beatriz,  I  will  question  the 
princess  alone." 

The  marchioness  and  Mercedes  immediately  withdrew,  leaving 
Isabella  with  Ozema,  in  possession  of  the  room.  The  interview 
that  followed  lasted  more  than  an  hour,  that  time  being  nec- 
essary to  enable  the  queen  to  form  an  opinion  of  the  stranger's 
explanations,  with  the  imperfect  means  of  communication  she 
possessed.  That  Ozema' s  whole  heart  was  Luis',  Isabella  could 
not  doubt.  Unaccustomed  to  conceal  her  preferences,  the  In- 
dian girl  was  too  unpractised  to  succeed  in  such  a  design,  had 
she  even  felt  the  desire  to  attempt  it ;  but,  in  addition  to  her 
native  ingenuousness,  Ozema  believed  that  duty  required  her  to 
have  no  concealments  from  the  sovereign  of  Luis,  and  she  laid 
bare  her  whole  soul  in  the  simplest  and  least  disguised  manner. 

"  Princess,"  said  the  queen,  after  the  conversation  had  lasted 


480  MERCEDES      OF     CASTILE. 

some  time,  and  Isabella  believed  herself  to  be  in  possession  of 
tlie  means  of  comprehending  her  companion,  "  I  now  under- 
stand your  tale.  Caonabo  is  the  chief,  or,  if  thou  wilt,  the  king 
of  a  country  adjoining  thine  own  ;  he  sought  thee  for  a  wife, 
but  being  already  married  to  more  than  one  princess,  thou  dids 
very  properly  reject  his  unholy  proposals.  He  then  attempted 
to  seize  thee  by  violence.  The  Conde  de  Llera  was  on  a  visit 
to  thy  brother  at  the  time" — 

"  Luis—Luis" — the  girl  impatiently  interrupted,  in  her  sweet, 
soft  voice — "  Luis  no  Conde — Luis." 

"  True,  princess,  but  the  Conde  de  Llera  and  Luis  de  Boba- 
dilla  are  one  and  the  same  person.  Luis,  then,  if  thou  wilt, 
was  present  in  thy  palace,  and  he  beat  back  the  presumptuous 
cacique,  who,  not  satisfied  with  fulfilling  the  law  of  God  by  the 
possession  of  one  wife,  impiously  sought,  in  thy  person,  a  sec- 
ond, or  a  third,  and  brought  thee  off  in  triumph.  Thy  brother, 
next,  requested  thee  to  take  shelter,  for  a  time,  in  Spain,  and 
Don  Luis,  becoming  thy  guardian  and  protector,  hath  brought 
thee  hither  to  the  care  of  his  aunt  j" 

Ozema  bowed  her  head  in  acknowledgment  of  the  truth  of  this 
statement,  most  of  which  she  had  no  difficulty  in  understanding, 
the  subject  having,  of  late,  occupied  so  much  of  her  thoughts. 

"  And,  now,  princess,"  continued  Isabella,  "  I  must  speak  to 
thee  with  maternal  frankness,  for  I  deem  all  of  thy  birth  my 
children  while  they  dwell  in  my  realms,  and  have  a  right  to 
look  to  me  for  advice  and  protection.  Hast  thou  any  such  love 
for  Don  Luis  as  would  induce  thee  to  forget  thine  own  country, 
and  to  adopt  his  in  its  stead  ?" 

"Ozema  don't  know  what  '  adopt  his,'  means,"  observed  the 
puzzled  girl. 

"I  wish  to  inquire  if  thou  wouldst  consent  to  become  the 
wife  of  Don  Luis  de  Bobadilla?" 

"Wife"  and  "  husband"  were  words  of  which  the  Indian 
girl  had  early  learned  the  signification,  and  she  smiled  guileless- 
ly, even  while  she  blushed,  and  nodded  her  assent. 

"  I  am,  then,  to  understand  that  thou  expectest  to  marry  the 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  481 

count,  for  no  modest  young  female  like,  thee,  would  so  cheer- 
fully avow  her  preference,  without  having  that  hope  ripened  in 
her  heart,  to  something  like  a  certainty." 

"  Si,  Senora — Ozema,  Luis'  wife." 

"  Thou  meanest,  princess,  that  Ozema  expecteth  shortly  to 
wed  the  count — shortly  to  become  his  wife  !" 

"  No — no — no — Ozema  now  Luis'  wife.  Luis  marry  Ozema, 
already." 

"  Can  this  be  so  ?"  exclaimed  the  queen,  looking  steadily 
into  the  face  of  the  beautiful  Indian  to  ascertain  if  the  whole 
were  not  an  artful  deception.  But  the  open  and  innocent  face 
betrayed  no  guilt,  and  Isabella  felt  compelled  to  believe  what 
she  had  heard.  In  order,  however,  to  make  certain  of  the  fact, 
she  questioned  and  cross-questioned  Ozema,  for  near  half  an 
hour  longer,  and  always  with  the  same  result. 

When  the  queen  arose  to  withdraw,  she  kissed  the  princess, 
for  so  she  deemed  this  wild  creature  of  an  unknown  and  novel 
state  of  society,  and  whispered  a  devout  prayer  for  the  enlight- 
enment of  her  mind,  and  for  her  future  peace.  On  reaching 
her  own  apartment,  she  found  the  Marchioness  of  Moya  in  at- 
tendance, that  tried  friend  being  unable  to  sleep  until  she  had 
learned  the  impressions  of  her  royal  mistress. 

"  'Tis  even  worse  than  we  had  imagined,  Beatriz,"  said  Isa- 
bella, as  the  other  closed  the  door  behind  her.  "  Thine  heart- 
less, inconstant  nephew  hath  already  wedded  the  Indian,  and 
she  is,  at  this  moment,  his  lawful  wife." 

"  Senora,  there  must  be  some  mistake  in  this  !  The  rash 
boy  would  hardly  dare  to  practise  this  imposition  on  me,  and 
that  in  the  very  presence  of  Mercedes." 

"He  would  sooner  place  his  wife  in  thy  care,  Daughter-Mar- 
chioness, than  make  the  same  disposition  of  one  who  had  fewer 
claims  on  him.  But  there  can  be  no  mistake.  I  have  ques- 
tioned the  princess  closely,  and  no  doubt  remaineth  in  my  mind, 
that  the  nuptials  have  been  solemnized  by  religious  rites.  It  is 
not  easy  to  understand  all  she  would  wish  to  say,  but  that 
much  she  often  and  distinctly  hath  affirmed." 


4.82  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

"Your  Highness — can  a  Christian  contract  marriage  with 
one  that  is  yet  unbaptized  ?" 

"  Certainly  not,  in  the  eye  of  the  church,  which  is  the  eye 
of  God.  But  I  rather  think  Ozema  hath  received  this  holy  rite, 
for  she  often  pointed  to  the  cross  she  weareth,  when  speaking 
of  the  union  with  thy  nephew.  Indeed,  from  her  allusions,  I 
understood  her  to  say  that  she  became  a  Christian,  ere  she  be- 
came a  wife." 

"  And  that  blessed  cross,  Senora,  was  a  gift  of  Mercedes  to 
the  reckless,  fickle-minded  boy;  a  parting  gift  in  which  the 
holy  symbol  was  intended  to  remind  him  of  constancy  and 
faith !" 

"  The  world  maketh  so  many  inroads  into  the  hearts  of  men, 
Beatriz,  that  they  know  not  woman's  reliance  and  woman's 
fidelity.  But  to  thy  knees,  and  bethink  thee  of  asking  for 
grace  to  sustain  thy  ward,  in  this  cruel,  but  unavoidable 
extremity." 

Isabella  now  turned  to  her  friend,  who  advanced  and  raised 
the  hand  of  her  royal  mistress  to  her  lips.  The  queen,  how- 
ever, was  not  content  with  this  salutation,  warm  as  it  was; 
passing  an  arm  around  the  neck  of  Dona  Beatriz,  she  drew  her 
to  her  person,  and  imprinted  a  kiss  on  her  forehead. 

"Adieu,  Beatriz — true  friend  as  thou  art!"  she  said.  "If 
constancy  hath  deserted  all  others,  it  hath  still  an  abode  in  thy 
faithful  heart." 

With  these  words  the  queen  and  the  marchioness  separated, 
each  to  find  her  pillow,  if  not  her  repose. 


MERCEDES     OF     CASTILE.  4S3 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

44  Now,  Gondarino,  what  can  you  put  on  now 
That  may  deceive  us  ? 

Have  ye  more  strange  illusions,  yet  more  mists, 
Through  which  the  weak  eye  may  be  led  to  error  ? 
What  can  ye  say  that  may  do  satisfaction 
Both  for  her  wronged  honor  and  your  ill  ?" 

Beaumont  and  Fletchjbb. 

The  day  which  succeeded  the  interview  related  in  the  pre- 
ceding chapter,  was  that  which  Cardinal  Mendoza  had  selected 
for  the  celebrated  banquet  given  to  Columbus.  On  this  occa- 
sion, most  of  the  high  nobility  of  the  court  were  assembled  in 
honor  of  the  admiral,  who  was  received  with  a  distinction  which 
fell  little  short  of  that  usually  devoted  to  crowned  heads.  The 
Genoese  bore  himself  modestly,  though  nobly,  in  all  these  cere- 
monies ;  and,  for  the  hour,  all  appeared  to  delight  in  doing  jus- 
tice to  his  great  exploits,  and  to  sympathize  in  a  success  so  much 
surpassing  the  general  expectation.  Every  eye  seemed  riveted 
on  his  person,  every  ear  listened  eagerly  to  the  syllables  as 
they  fell  from  his  lips,  every  voice  was  loud  and  willing  in  his 
praise. 

As  a  matter  of  course,  on  such  an  occasion,  Columbus  was 
expected  to  give  some  account  of  his  voyage  and  adventures. 
This  was  not  an  easy  task,  since  it  was  virtually  asserting  how 
much  his  own  perseverance  and  spirit,  his  sagacity  and  skill, 
were  superior  to  the  knowledge  and  enterprise  of  the  age.  Still, 
the  admiral  acquitted  himself  with  dexterity  and  credit,  touch- 
ing principally  on  those  heads  which  most  redounded  to  the 
glory  of  Spain,  and  the  lustre  of  the  two  crowns. 

Among  the  guests  was  Luis  de  Bobadilla.  The  young  man 
had  been  invited  on  account  of  his  high  rank,  and  in  considera- 


484  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

tion  of  the  confidence  and  familiarity  with  which  he  was  evi- 
dently treated  by  the  admiral.  The  friendship  of  Columbus 
was  more  than  sufficient  to  erase  the  slightly  unfavorable  im- 
pressions that  had  been  produced  by  Luis'  early  levities,  and 
men  quietly  submitted  to  the  influence  of  the  great  man's  ex- 
ample, without  stopping  to  question  the  motive  or  the  end.  The 
consciousness  of  having  done  that  which  few  of  his  station  and 
hopes  would  ever  dream  of  attempting,  gave  to  the  proud  mien 
and  handsome  countenance  of  Luis,  a  seriousness  and  elevation 
that  had  not  always  been  seated  there,  and  helped  to  sustain 
him  in  the  good  opinion  that  he  had  otherwise  so  cheaply  pur- 
chased. The  manner  in  which  he  had  related  to  Peter  Martyr 
and  his  companions  the  events  of  the  expedition,  was  also  re- 
membered, and,  without  understanding  exactly  why,  the  world 
was  beginning  to  associate  him,  in  some  mysterious  manner, 
with  the  great  western  voyage.  Owing  to  these  accidental  cir- 
cumstances, our  hero  was  actually  reaping  some  few  of  the  ad- 
vantages of  his  spirit,  though  in  a  way  he  had  never  anticipated ; 
a  result  by  no  means  extraordinary,  men  as  often  receiving  ap- 
plause, or  reprobation,  for  acts  that  were  never  meditated,  as 
for  those  for  which  reason  and  justice  would  hold  them  rigidly 
responsible. 

"  Here  is  a  health  to  my  lord,  their  Highnesses'  Admiral  of 
the  Ocean  Sea,"  cried  Luis  de  St.  Angel,  raising  his  cup  so  that 
all  at  the  board  might  witness  the  act.  "  Spain  oweth  him  her 
gratitude  for  the  boldest  and  most  beneficial  enterprise  of  the 
age,  and  no  good  subject  of  the  two  sovereigns  will  hesitate  to 
do  him  honor  for  his  services." 

The  bumper  was  drunk,  and  the  meek  acknowledgments  of 
Columbus  listened  to  in  respectful  silence. 

"Lord  Cardinal,"  resumed  the  free-speaking  accountant  of 
the  church's  revenues,  "I  look  upon  the  church's  cure  as 
'doubled  by  these  discoveries,  and  esteem  the  number  of  souls 
that  will  be  rescued  from  perdition  by  the  means  that  will  now  be 
employed  to  save  them,  as  forming  no  small  part  of  the  lustre  of 
the  exploit,  and  a  thing  not  likely  to  be  forgotten  at  Rome." 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  485 

"Thou  say'st  well,  good  de  St.  Angel,"  returned  the  cardi- 
nal, "  and  the  Holy  Father  will  not  overlook  God's  agent,  or 
his  assistants.  Knowledge  came  from  the  east,  and  we  have 
long  looked  forward  to  the  time  when,  purified  by  revelation 
and  the  high  commission  that  we  hold  direct  from  the  source 
of  all  power,  it  would  be  rolled  backward  to  its  place  of  begin- 
ning ;  but  we  now  see  that  its  course  is  still  to  be  westward, 
reaching  Asia  by  a  path  that,  until  this  great  discovery,  was  hid 
from  human  eyes." 

Although  so  much  apparent  sympathy  ruled  at  the  festival, 
the  human  heart  was  at  work,  and  envy,  the  basest,  and  perhaps 
the  most  common  of  our  passions,  was  fast  swelling  in  more 
than  one  breath.  The  remark  of  the  cardinal  produced  an 
exhibition  of  the  influence  of  this  unworthy  feeling  that  might 
otherwise  have  been  smothered.  Among  the  guests  was  a 
noble  of  the  name  of  Juan  de  Orbitello,  and  he  could  listen  no 
longer,  in  silence,  to  the  praises  of  those  whose  breath  he  had 
been  accustomed  to  consider  fame. 

"  Is  it  so  certain,  holy  sir,"  he  said,  addressing  his  host, 
"  that  God  would  not  have  directed  other  means  to  be  em- 
ployed, to  effect  this  end,  had  these  of  Don  Christopher  failed? 
Or,  are  we  to  look  upon  this  voyage  as  the  only  known  way  in 
which  all  these  heathen  could  be  rescued  from  perdition  ?" 

"  No  one  may  presume,  Senor,  to  limit  the  agencies  of 
heaven,"  returned  the  cardinal,  gravely;  "nor  is  it  the  office 
of  man  to  question  the  means  employed,  or  to  doubt  the  power 
to  create  others,  as  wisdom  may  dictate.  Least  of  all,  should 
laymen  call  in  question  aught  that  the  church  sanctioneth." 

"  This  I  admit,  Lord  Cardinal,"  answered  the  Senor  de  Orbi- 
tello, a  little  embarrassed,  and  somewhat  vexed  at  the  implied 
rebuke  of  the  churchman's  remarks,  "and  it  was  the  least  of 
my  intentions  to  do  so.  But  you,  Senor  Don  Christopher, 
did  you  deem  yourself  an  agent  of  heaven  in  this  expedition  ?" 

"  I  have  always  considered  myself  a  most  unworthy  instru- 
ment, set  apart  for  this  great  end,  Senor,"  returned  the  admiral, 
with  a  grave  solemnity  that  was  well  suited  to  impose  on  the 
21 


486  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

spectators.  "  From  the  first,  I  have  felt  this  impulse,  as  being 
of  divine  origin,  and  I  humbly  trust  heaven  is  not  displeased 
with  the  creature  it  hath  employed." 

"  Do  you  then  imagine,  Senor  Almirante,  that  Spain  could 
not  produce  another,  fitted  equally  with  yourself,  to  execute 
this  great  enterprise,  had  any  accident  j)revented  either  your 
sailing  or  your  success  ?" 

The  boldness,  as  well  as  the  singularity  of  this  question,  pro- 
duced a  general  pause  in  the  conversation,  and  every  head  was 
bent  a  little  forward  in  expectation  of  the  reply.  Columbus 
sat  silent  for  more  than  a  minute  ;  then,  reaching  forward,  he 
took  an  egg,  and  holding  it  up  to  view,  he  spoke  mildly,  but 
with  great  gravity  and  earnestness  of  manner. 

"  Senores,"  he  said,  "is  there  one  here  of  sufficient  expert- 
ness  to  cause  this  egg  to  stand  on  its  end  ?  If  such  a  man  be 
present,  I  challenge  him  to  give  us  an  exhibition  of  his  skill." 

The  request  produced  a  good  deal  of  surprise  ;  but  a  dozen 
immediately  attempted  the  exploit,  amid  much  laughter  and 
many  words.  More  than  once,  some  young  noble  thought  he 
had  succeeded,  but  the  instant  his  fingers  quitted  the  egg,  it 
rolled  upon  the  table,  as  if  in  mockery  of  his  awkwardness. 

"  By  Saint  Luke,  Senor  Almirante,  but  this  notable  achieve- 
ment surpasseth  our  skill,"  cried  Juan  de  Orbit ello.  "  Here  is 
the  Conde  de  Llera,  who  hath  slain  so  many  Moors,  and  who 
hath  even  unhorsed  Alonzo  de  Ojeda,  in  a  tourney,  can  make 
nothing  of  his  egg,  in  the  way  you  mention." 

"  And  yet  it  will  no  longer  be  difficult  to  him,  or  even  to  you, 
Senor,  when  the  art  shall  be  exposed." 

Saying  thus,  Columbus  tapped  the  smaller  end  of  his  egg 
lightly  on  the  table,  when,  the  shell  being  forced  in,  it  possessed 
a  base  on  which  it  stood  firmly  and  without  tremor.  A  mur- 
mur of  applause  followed  this  rebuke,  and  the  Lord  of  Orbitello 
was  fain  to  shrink  back  into  an  insignificance,  from  which  it 
would  have  been  better  for  him  never  to  have  emerged.  At 
this  precise  instant  a  royal  page  spoke  to  the  admiral,  and  then 
passed  on  to  the  seat  of  Don  Luis  de  Bobadilla. 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  487 

"  I  am  summoned  hastily  to  the  presence  of  the  queen,  Lord 
Cardinal,"  observed  the  admiral,  " and  look, to  your  grace  for 
an  apology  for  my  withdrawing.  The  business  is  of  weight,  by 
the  manner  of  the  message,  and  you  will  pardon  my  now  quit- 
ting the  board,  though  it  seem  early." 

The  usual  reply  was  made ;  and,  bowed  to  the  door  by  his 
host  and  all  present,  Columbus  quitted  the  room.  Almost  at 
the  same  instant,  he  was  followed  by  the  Conde  de  Llera. 

"  "Whither  goest  thou,  in  this  hurry,  Don  Luis  V  demanded 
the  admiral,  as  the  other  joined  him.  "  Art  thou  in  so  great 
haste  to  quit  a  banquet  such  as  Spain  hath  not  often  seen,  ex- 
cept in  the  palaces  of  her  kings  VJ 

"By  San  Iago !  nor  there,  neither,  Senor,"  answered  the 
young  man,  gaily,  "if  King  Ferdinand's  board  be  taken  as  the 
sample.  But  I  quit  this  goodly  company  in  obedience  to  an 
order  of  Dona  Isabella,  who  hath  suddenly  summoned  me  to 
her  royal  presence." 

'  "  Then,  Senor  Conde,  we  go  together,  and  are  like  to  meet 
on  the  same  errand.  I,  too,  am  hastening  to  the  apartments  of 
the  queen." 

"  It  gladdens  my  heart  to  hear  this,  Senor,  as  I  know  of  but 
one  subject  on  which  a  common  summons  should  be  sent  to  us. 
This  affair  toucheth  on  my  suit,  and,  doubtless,  you  will  be  re- 
quired to  speak  of  my  bearing  in  the  voyage." 

"  My  mind  and  my  time  have  been  so  much  occupied,  of 
late,  with  public  cares,  Luis,  that  I  have  not  had  an  occasion  to 
question  you  of  this.  How  fareth  the  Lady  of  Valverde,  and 
when  will  she  deign  to  reward  thy  constancy  and  love  ?" 

"  Senor,  I  would  I  could  answer  the  last  of  these  questions 
with  greater  certainty,  and  the  first  with  a  lighter  heart.  Since 
my  return  I  have  seen  Doiia  Mercedes  but  thrice  ;  and  though 
she  was  all  gentleness  and  truth,  my  suit  for  the  consummation 
of  my  happiness  hath  been  coldly  and  evasively  answered  by 
my  aunt.  Her  Highness  is  to  be  consulted,  it  would  seem  ; 
and  the  tumult  produced  by  the  success  of  the  voyage  hath  so 
much  occupied  her,  that  there  hath  been  no  leisure  to  wait  on 


488  MERCEDES      OF     CASTILE. 

trifles  such  as  those  that  lead  to  the  felicity  of  a  wanderer  like 
myself." 

"  Then  is  it  like,  Luis,  that  we  are  indeed  summoned  on  this 
very  affair ;  else,  why  should  thou  and  I  be  brought  together  in 
a  manner  so  unusual  and  so  sudden." 

Our  hero  was  not  displeased  to  fancy  this,  and  he  entered 
the  apartments  of  the  queen  with  a  step  as  elastic,  and  a  mien 
as  bright,  as  if  he  had  come  tc  wed  his  love.  The  Admiral  of 
the  Ocean  Sea,  as  Columbus  was  now  publicly  called,  had  not 
long  to  wait  in  ante-chambers,  and,  ere  many  minutes,  he  and 
his  companion  were  ushered  into  the  presence. 

Isabella  received  her  guests  in  private,  there  being  no  one  in 
attendance  but  the  Marchioness  of  Moya,  Mercedes,  and  Ozema. 
The  first  glances  of  their  eyes  told  Columbus  and  Luis  that  all 
was  not  right.  Every  countenance  denoted  that  its  owner  was 
endeavoring  to  maintain  a  calmness  that  was  assumed.  The 
queen  herself  was  serene  and  dignified,  it  is  true,  but  her  brow 
was  thoughtful,  her  eye  melancholy,  and  her  cheek  slightly 
flushed.  As  for  Dona  Beatriz,  sorrow  and  indignation  strug- 
gled in  her  expressive  face,  and  Luis  saw,  with  concern,  that  her 
look  was  averted  from  him  in  a  way  she  always  adopted  when 
he  had  seriously  incurred  her  displeasure.  Mercedes7  lips  were 
pale  as  death,  though  a  bright  spot,  like  vermilion,  was  station- 
ary on  each  cheek ;  her  eyes  were  downcast,  and  all  her  mien 
was  humbled  and  timid.  Ozema  alone  seemed  perfectly  natu- 
ral ;  still,  her  glances  were  quick  and  anxious,  though  a  gleam 
of  joy  danced  in  her  eyes,  and  even  a  slight  exclamation  of  de- 
light escaped  her,  as  she  beheld  Luis,  whom  she  had  seen  but 
once  since  her  arrival  in  Barcelona,  already  near  a  month. 

Isabella  advanced  a  step  or  two,  to  meet  the  admiral,  and 
when  the  last  would  have  kneeled,  she  hurriedly  prevented  the 
act  by  giving  him  her  hand  to  kiss. 

"Not  so — not  so — Lord  Admiral,"  exclaimed  the  queen; 
"  this  is  homage  unsuited  to  thy  high  rank  and  eminent  ser- 
vices. If  we  are  thy  sovereigns,  so  are  we  also  thy  friends.  I 
fear  my  lord  cardinal  will  scarce  pardon  the  orders  I  sent  him, 


MERCEDES      OF     CASTILE.  489 

seeing  that  it  hath  deprived  him  of  thy  society  somewhat  sooner 
than  he  may  have  expected." 

"His  Eminence,  and  all  his  goodly  company,  have  that  to 
muse  on,  Senora,  that  may  yet  occupy  them  some  time,"  re- 
turned Columbus,  smiling  in  his  grave  manner ;  "  doubtless, 
they  will  less  miss  me  than  at  an  ordinary  time.  Were  it 
otherwise,  both  I,  and  this  young  count,  would  not  scruple 
to  quit  even  a  richer  banquet,  to  obey  the  summons  of  your 
Highness." 

"  I  doubt  it  not,  Senor,  but  I  have  desired  to  see  thee,  this 
night,  on  a  matter  of  private,  rather  than  of  public  concern- 
ment. Dona  Beatriz,  here,  hath  made  known  to  me  the  pres- 
ence at  court,  as  well  as  the  history  of  this  fair  being,  who 
giveth  one  an  idea  so  much  more  exalted  of  thy  vast  discoveries 
that  I  marvel  she  should  ever  have  been  concealed.  Know'st 
thou  her  rank,  Don  Christopher,  and  the  circumstances  that 
have  brought  her  to  Spain  ?" 

"  Senora,  I  do  ;  in  part  through  my  own  observation,  and 
m  part  from  the  statements  of  Don  Luis  de  Bobadilla.  I  con- 
sider the  rank  of  the  Lady  Ozema  to  be  less  than  royal,  and  more 
than  noble,  if  our  opinions  will  allow  us  to  imagine  a  condition 
between  the  two  ;  though  it  must  always  be  remembered  that 
Hayti  is  not  Castile  ;  the  one  being  benighted  under  the  cloud 
of  heathenism,  and  the  other  existing  in  the  sunshine  of  the 
church  and  civilization." 

"  Nevertheless,  Don  Christopher,  station  is  station,  and  the 
rights  of  birth  are  not  impaired  by  the  condition  of  a  country. 
Although  it  hath  pleased  him  already,  and  will  still  further 
please  the  head  of  the  church,  to  give  us  rights,  in  our  charac- 
ters of  Christian  princes,  over  these  caciques  of  India,  there  is 
nothing  unusual  or  novel  in  the  fact.  The  relation  between 
the  suzerain  and  the  lieges  is  ancient  and  well  established  ;  and 
instances  are  not  wanting,  in  which  powerful  monarchs  have 
held  certain  of  their  states  by  this  tenure,  while  others  have 
come  direct  from  God.  In  this  view,  I  feel  disposed  to  con- 
sider the  Indian  lady  as  more  than  noble,  and  have  directed 


490  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

her  to  be  treated  accordingly.  There  remaineth  only  to  relate 
the  circumstances  that  have  brought  her  to  Spain." 

"  These  can  better  come  from  Don  Luis  than  from  me,  Sc- 
nora ;  he  being  most  familiar  with  the  events. 

"Nay,  Senor,  I  would  hear  them  from  thine  own  lips.  I 
am  already  possessed  of  the  substance  of  the  Conde  de  Llera's 
story.' ' 

Columbus  looked  both  surprised  and  pained,  but  he  did  not 
hesitate  about  complying  with  the  queen's  request. 

"  Hayti  hath  its  greater  and  its  lesser  princes,  or  caciques,  your 
Highness,"  he  added ;  "the  last  paying  a  species  of  homage,  and 
owing  a  certain  allegiance  to  the  first,  as  hath  been  said" — 

"Thou  seest,  Daughter-Marchioness,  this  is  but  a  natural 
order  of  government,  prevailing  equally  in  the  east  and  in  the 
west !" 

"  Of  the  first  of  these  was  Guacanagari,  of  whom  I  have  al- 
ready related  so  much  to  your  Highness,"  continued  Columbus; 
"  and  of  the  last,  Mattinao,  the  brother  of  this  lady.  Don  Luis 
visited  the  Cacique  Mattinao,  and  was  present  at  an  inroad  of 
Caonabo,  a  celebrated  Carib  chief,  who  would  fain  have  made 
a  wife  of  her  who  now  stands  in  this  illustrious  presence. 
The  conde  conducted  himself  like  a  gallant  Castilian  cavalier, 
routed  the  foe,  saved  the  lady,  and  brought  her  in  triumph  to 
the  ships.  Here  it  was  determined  she  should  visit  Spain,  both 
as  a  means  of  throwing  more  lustre  on  the  two  crowns,  and  of 
removing  her,  for  a  season,  from  the  attempts  of  the  Carib,  who 
is  too  powerful  and  warlike  to  be  withstood  by  a  race  as  gentle 
as  that  of  Mattinao's." 

"  This  is  well,  Senor,  and  what  I  have  already  heard  ;  but 
how  happeneth  it,  that  Ozema  did  not  appear  with  the  rest  of 
thy  train,  in  the  public  reception  of  the  town?" 

"It  was  the  wish  of  Don  Luis  it  should  be  otherwise,  and  I 
consented  that  he  and  his  charge  should  sail  privately  from  Pa- 
los,  with  the  expectation  of  meeting  me  in  Barcelona.  Wo 
both  thought  the  Lady  Ozema  too  superior  to  her  companion?, 
to  be  exhibited  to  rude  eyes  as  a  spectacle." 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  491 

"  There  was  delicacy,  if  tliere  were  not  prudence  in  the  ar- 
rangement,'' the  queen  observed,  a  little  drily.  "  Then,  the 
Lady  Ozema  hath  been  some  weeks  solely  in  the  care  of  the 
Conde  de  Llera." 

"I  so  esteem  it,  your  Highness,  except  as  she  hath  been 
placed  under  the  guardianship  of  the  Marchioness  of  Moya." 

11  Was  this  altogether  discreet,  Don  Christopher,  or  as  one 
prudent  as  thou  shouldst  have  consented  to !" 

"  Senora!"  exclaimed  Luis,  unable  to  restrain  his  feelings 
longer. 

"Forbear,  young  sir,"  commanded  the  queen.  "I  shall 
have  occasion  to  question  thee  presently,  when  thou  may'st 
have  a  need  for  all  thy  readiness,  to  give  the  fitting  answers. 
Doth  not  thy  discretion  rebuke  thy  indiscretion  in  this  matter, 
Lord  Admiral  f" 

"  Sefiora,  the  question,  like  its  motive,  is  altogether  new  to  me; 
I  have  the  utmost  reliance  on  the  honor  of  the  count,  and  then 
did  I  know  that  his  heart  hath  long  been  given  to  the  fairest 
and  worthiest  damsel  of  Spain  ;  besides,  my  mind  hath  been  so 
much  occupied  with  the  grave  subjects  of  your  Highness'  inter- 
ests, that  it  hath  had  but  little  opportunity  to  dwell  on  minor 
things." 

"  I  believe  thee,  Senor,  and  thy  pardon  is  secure.  Still,  for 
one  so  experienced,  it  was  a  sore  indiscretion  to  trust  to  the 
constancy  of  a  fickle  heart,  when  placed  in  the  body  of  a  light- 
minded  and  truant  boy.  And,  now,  Conde  de  Llera,  I  have 
that  to  say  to  thee,  which  thou  may'st  find  it  difficult  to  answer. 
Thou  assentest  to  all  that  hath  hitherto  been  said  ?" 

"  Certainly,  Senora.  Don  Christopher  can  have  no  motive 
to  misstate,  even  were  he  capable  of  the  meanness.  I  trust  our 
house  hath  not  been  remarkable  in  Spain,  for  recreant  and  false 
cavaliers." 

"  In  that  I  fully  agree.  If  thy  house  hath  had  the  misfor- 
tune to  produce  one  untrue  and  recreant  heart,  it  hath  the 
glory" — glancing  at  her  friend — "of  producing  others  that 
might  equal  the   constancy  of  the  most  heroic  minds  of  an- 


492  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

tiquity.  The  lustre  of  the  name  of  Bobadilla  doth  not  altogether 
depend  on  the  fidelity  and  truth  of  its  head — nay,  hear  me,  sir, 
and  speak  only  when  thou  art  ready  to  answer  my  questions. 
Thy  thoughts,  of  late,  have  been  bent  on  matrimony  ?" 

"  Senora,  I  confess  it.  Is  it  an  offence  to  dream  of  the  hon- 
orable termination  of  a  suit  that  hath  been  long  urged,  and 
which  I  had  dared  to  hope  was  finally  about  to  receive  your 
own  royal  approbation  ?" 

"It  is,  then,  as  I  feared,  Beatriz !"  exclaimed  the  queen; 
"  and  this  benighted  but  lovely  being  hath  been  deceived  by  the 
mockery  of  a  marriage  ;  for  no  subject  of  Castile  would  dare 
thus  to  speak  of  wedlock,  in  my  presence,  with  the  conscious- 
ness that  his  vows  had  actually  and  lawfully  been  given  to 
another.  Both  the  church  and  the  prince  would  not  be  thus 
braved,  by  even  the  greatest  profligate  of  Spain !" 

"  Senora,  your  Highness  speaketh  most  cruelly,  even  while 
you  speak  in  riddles  !"  cried  Luis.  "  May  I  presume  to  ask  if 
I  am  meant  in  these  severe  remarks  ?" 

"  Of  whom  else  should  we  be  speaking,  or  to  whom  else 
allude  ?  Thou  must  have  the  inward  consciousness,  unprinci- 
pled boy,  of  all  thy  unworthiness ;  and  yet  thou  darest  thus  to 
brave  thy  sovereign — nay,  to  brave  that  suffering  and  angelic  girl, 
with  a  mien  as  bold  as  if  sustained  by  the  purest  innocence  IV 

"  Senora,  I  am  no  angel,  myself,  however  willing  to  admit 
Dona  Mercedes  to  be  one  ;  neither  am  I  a  saint  of  perfect 
purity,  perhaps — in  a  word,  I  am  Luis  de  Bobadilla — but  as 
far  from  deserving  these  reproaches,  as  from  deserving  the 
crown  of  martyrdom.     Let  me  humbly  demand  my  offence  V 

"  Simply  that  thou  hast  either  cruelly  deceived,  by  a  feigned 
marriage,  this  uninstructed  and  confiding  Indian  princess,  or 
hast  insolently  braved  thy  sovereign  with  the  professions  of  a 
desire  to  wed  another,  with  thy  faith  actually  plighted  at  the 
altar,  to  another.  Of  which  of  these  crimes  thou  art  guilty, 
thou  know'st  best,  thyself." 

"  And  thou,  my  aunt — thou,  Mercedes — dost  thou,  too,  be- 
lieve me  capable  of  this  V 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  493 

"  I  fear  it  is  but  too  true,"  returned  the  marchioness,  coldly  ; 
"the  proof  is  such  thatmone  but  an  Infidel  could  deny  belief." 

"  Mercedes?" 

"No,  Luis/'  answered  the  generous  girl,  with  a  warmth  and 
feeling  that  broke  down  the  barriers  of  all  conventional  re- 
straint— "  I  do  not  think  thee  base  as  this — I  do  not  think  thee 
base  at  all ;  merely  unable  to  restrain  thy  wandering  inclina- 
tions. I  know  thy  heart  too  well,  and  thine  honor  too  well,  to 
suppose  aught  more  than  a  weakness  that  thou  wouldst  fain 
subdue,  but  canst  not." 

"  God  and  the  Holy  Virgin  be  blessed  for  this !"  cried  the 
count,  who  had  scarcely  breathed  while  his  mistress  was  speak- 
ing. "  Any  thing  but  thy  entertaining  so  low  an  opinion  of 
me,  may  be  borne  I" 

"  There  must  be  an  end  of  this,  Beatriz  ;  and  I  see  no  surer 
means,  than  by  proceeding  at  once  to  the  facts,"  said  the  queen. 
"  Come  hither,  Ozema,  and  let  thy  testimony  set  this  matter  at 
rest,  forever." 

The  young  Indian,  who  comprehended  Spanish  much  better 
than  she  expressed  herself  in  the  language,  although  far  from 
having  even  a  correct  understanding  of  all  that  was  said,  im- 
mediately complied,  her  whole  soul  being  engrossed  with  what 
was  passing,  while  her  intelligence  was  baffled  in  its  attempts 
thoroughly  to  comprehend  it.  Mercedes  alone  had  noted  the 
workings  of  her  countenance,  as  Isabella  reproved,  or  Luis  made 
his  protestations,  and  they  were  such  as  completely  denoted 
the  interest  she  felt  in  our  hero. 

"  Ozema,"  resumed  the  queen,  speaking  slowly,  and  with 
deliberate  distinctness,  in  order  that  the  other  might  get  the 
meaning  of  her  words"  as  she  proceeded.  "  Speak — art  thou 
wedded  to  Luis  de  Bobadilla,  or  not  ?" 

"Ozema,  Luis'  wife,"  answered  the  girl,  laughing  and  blush- 
ing.     "Luis,  Ozem a' s  husband." 

"  This  is  plain  as  words  can  make  it,  Don  Christopher,  and  is 
no  more  than  she  hath  already  often  affirmed,  on  my  anxious  and 
repeated  inquiries.    How  and  when  did  Luis  wed  thee.  Ozema?" 


494  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

"  Luis  wed  Ozema  with  religion — with  Spaniard's  religion. 
Ozema  wed  Luis  with  love  and  duty — with  Hayti  manner." 

"This  is  extraordinary,  Senora,"  observed  the  admiral,  "and 
I  would  gladly  look  into  it.  Have  I  your  Highness'  permission 
to  inquire  into  the  affair,  myself  ?" 

"Do  as  thou  wilt,  Senor,"  returned  the  queen,  coldly. 
"  My  own  mind  is  satisfied,  and  it  behoveth  my  justice  to  act 
speedily." 

"  Conde  de  Llera,  dost  thou  admit,  or  dost  thou  deny,  that 
thou  art  the  husband  of  the  Lady  Ozema  ?"  demanded  Columbus, 
gravely. 

"  Lord  Admiral,  I  deny  it  altogether.  Neither  have  I  wed- 
ded her,  nor  hath  the  thought  of  so  doing,  with  any  but  Mer- 
cedes, ever  crossed  my  inind." 

This  was  said  firmly,  and  with  the  open  frankness  that  formed 
a  principal  charm  in  the  young  man's  manner. 

"  Hast  thou,  then,  wronged  her,  and  given  her  a  right  to 
think  that  thou  didst  mean  wedlock  ?" 

"  I  have  not.  Mine  own  sister  would  not  have  been  more 
respected  than  hath  Ozema  been  respected  by  me,  as  is  shown 
by  the  fact  that  I  have  hastened  to  place  her  in  the  care  of  my 
dear  aunt,  and  in  the  company  of  Dona  Mercedes." 

"  This  seemeth  reasonable,  Senora ;  for  man  hath  ever  that 
much  respect  for  virtue  in  your  sex,  that  he  hesitateth  to  offend 
it  even  in  his  levities." 

"  In  opposition  to  all  these  protestations,  and  to  so  much 
fine  virtue,  Senor  Colon,  we  have  the  simple  declaration  of  one 
untutored  in  deception — a  mind  too  simple  to  deceive,  and  of 
a  rank  and  hopes  that  would  render  such  a  fraud  as  unnecessary 
as  it  would  be  unworthy.  Beatriz,  thou  dost  agree  with  me, 
and  it  cannot  find  an  apology  for  this  recreant  knight,  even 
though  he  were  once  the  pride  of  thy  house  ?" 

"  Senora,  I  know  not.  Whatever  may  have  been  the  fail- 
ings and  weaknesses  of  the  boy — and  heaven  it  knows  that 
they  have  been  many — deception  and  untruth  have  never  made 
a  part.     I  have  even  ascribed  the  manner  in  which  he  hath 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  495 

placed  the  princess  in  my  immediate  care,  to  the  impulses  of  a 
heart  that  did  not  wish  to  conceal  the  errors  of  the  head,  and  to 
the  expectation  that  her  presence  in  my  family  might  sooner  bring 
me  to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth.  I  could  wish  that  the  Lady  Oze- 
ma  might  be  questioned  more  closely,  in  order  that  we  make 
certain  of  not  being  under  the  delusion  of  some  strange  error." 

"  This  is  right,"  observed  Isabella,  whose  sense  of  justice 
ever  inclined  her  to  make  the  closest  examination  into  the 
merits  of  every  case  that  required  her  decision.  "  The  fortune 
of  a  grandee  depends  on  the  result,  and  it  is  meet  he  enjoy  all 
fai?  means  of  vindicating  himself  from  so  heinous  an  offence. 
Sir  Count,  thou  canst,  therefore,  question  her,  in  our  presence, 
touching  all  proper  grounds  of  inquiry." 

"  Seiiora,  it  would  ill  become  a  knight  to  put  himself  in  array 
against  a  lady,  and  she,  too,  of  the  character  and  habits  of  this 
stranger,"  answered  Luis,  proudly ;  coloring  as  he  spoke,  with 
the  consciousness  that  Ozema  was  utterly  unable  to  conceal  her 
predilection  in  his  favor.  "  If  such  an  office  is,  indeed,  neces- 
sary, its  functions  would  better  become  another." 

"  As  the  stern  duty  of  punishing  must  fall  on  me,"  the  queen 
calmly  observed,  "  I  will  then  assume  this  unpleasant  office. 
Senor  Almirante,  we  may  not  shrink  from  any  obligation  that 
brings  us  nearer  to  the  greatest  attribute  of  God,  his  justice. 
Princess,  thou  hast  said  that  Don  Luis  hath  wedded  thee,  and 
that  thou  considerest  thyself  his  wife.  When  and  where  didst 
thou  meet  him  before  a  priest  ?" 

So  many  attempts  had  been  made  to  convert  Ozema  to  Chris- 
tianity, that  she  was  more  familiar  with  the  terms  connected 
with  religion  than  with  any  other  part  of  the  language,  though 
her  mind  was  a  confused  picture  of  imaginary  obligations,  and 
of  mystical  qualities.  Like  all  who  are  not  addicted  to  abstrac- 
tions, her  piety  was  more  connected  with  forms  than  with  prin- 
ciples, and  she  was  better  disposed  to  admit  the  virtue  of  the 
ceremonies  of  the  church  than  the  importance  of  its  faith.  The 
question  of  the  queen  was  understood,  and,  therefore,  it  was 
answered  without  guile,  or  a  desire  to  deceive. 


496  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

"  Luis  wed  Ozema  with  Christian's  cross,"  she  said,  pressing 
to  her  heart  the  holy  emblem  that  the  young  man  had  given  to 
her  ir  a  moment  of  great  peril,  and  in  a  manner  the  reader 
already  knows.  "  Luis  think  he  about  to  die — Ozema  think 
she  about  to  die — both  wish  to  die  man  and  wife,  and  Luis 
wed  with  the  cross,  like  good  Spanish  Christian.  Ozema  wed 
Luis  in  her  heart,  like  Hayti  lady,  in  her  own  country." 

"  Here  is  some  mistake — some  sad  mistake,  growing  out  of 
the  difference  of  language  and  customs,"  observed  the  admiral. 
"  Don  Luis  hath  not  been  guilty  of  this  deception.  I  witness- 
ed the  offering  of  that  cross,  which  was  made  at  sea,  during  a 
tempest,  and  in  a  way  to  impress  me  favorably  with  the  count's 
zeal  in  behalf  of  a  benighted  soul.  There  was  no  wedlock 
there ;  nor  could  any,  but  one  who  hath  confounded  our 
usages,  through  ignorance,  imagine  more  than  the  bestowal  of  a 
simple  emblem,  that  it  was  hoped  might  be  useful,  in  extremi- 
ty, to  one  that  had  not  enjoyed  the  advantages  of  baptism  and 
the  church's  offices." 

"  Don  Luis,  dost  thou  confirm  this  statement,  and  also  assert 
that  thy  gift  was  made  solely  with  this  object?"  asked  the  queen. 

"  Senora,  it  is  most  true.  Death  was  staring  us  in  the  face  ; 
and  I  felt  that  this  poor  wanderer,  who  had  trusted  herself  to 
our  care,  with  the  simple  confidence  of  a  child,  needed  some 
consolation  ;  none  seemed  so  meet,  at  the  moment,  as  that  me- 
morial of  our  blessed  Redeemer,  and  of  our  own  redemption. 
To  me  it  seemed  the  preservative  next  to  baptism." 

"  Hast  thou  never  stood  before  a  priest  with  her,  nor  in  any 
manner  abused  her  guileless  simplicity  ?" 

"  Senora,  it  is  not  my  nature  to  deceive,  and  every  weakness 
of  which  I  have  been  guilty  in  connexion  with  Ozema  shall  be 
revealed.  Her  beauty  and  her  winning  manners  speak  for 
themselves,  as  doth  her  resemblance  to  Dona  Mercedes.  The 
last  greatly  inclined  me  to  her,  and,  had  not  my  heart  been 
altogether  another's,  it  would  have  been  my  pride  to  make  the 
princess  my  wife.  But  we  met  too  late  for  that ;  and  even  the 
resemblance  led  to  comparisons,  in  which  one,  educated  in  infi- 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  497 

delity  and  ignorance,  must  necessarily  suffer.  That  I  Lave  had 
moments  of  tenderness  for  Ozema,  I  will  own  ;  but  that  they  ever 
supplanted,  or  came  near  supplanting,  my  love  for  Mercedes,  I 
do  deny.  If  I  have  any  fault  to  answer  for,  to  the  Lady  Ozema, 
it  is  because  I  have  not  always  been  able  to  suppress  the  feel- 
ings that  her  likeness  to  the  Dona  Mercedes,  and  her  own  in- 
genuous simplicity — chiefly  the  former — have  induced.  Never 
otherwise,  in  speech  or  act,  have  I  offended  against  her." 

"This  soundeth  upright  and  true,  Beatriz.  Thou  know'st 
the  count  better  than  I,  and  can  easier  say  how  far  we  ought  to 
confide  in  these  explanations." 

"  My  life  on  their  truth,  my  beloved  mistress  !  Luis  is  no 
hypocrite,  and  I  rejoice ! — oh!  how  exultingly  do  I  rejoice  ! — 
at  finding  him  able  to  give  this  fair  vindication  of  his  conduct. 
Ozema,  who  hath  heard  of  our  form  of  wedlock,  and  hath  seen 
our  devotion  to  the  cross,  hath  mistaken  her  position,  as  she 
hath  my  nephew's  feelings,  and  supposed  herself  a  wife,  when  a 
Christian  girl  would  not  have  been  so  cruelly  deceived. " 

"  This  really  hath  a  seeming  probability,  Senores,"  con- 
tinued the  queen,  with  her  sex's  sensitiveness  to  her  sex's 
delicacy  of  sentiment,  not  to  say  to  her  sex's  rights — 
"This  toucheth  of  a  lady's — nay,  of  a  princess'  feelings,  and 
must  not  be  treated  of  openly.  It  is  proper  that  any  further 
explanations  should  be  made  only  among  females,  and  I  trust 
to  your  honor,  as  cavaliers  and  nobles,  that  what  hath  this 
night  been  said,  will  never  be  spoken  of  amid  the  revels  of  men. 
The  Lady  Ozema  shall  be  my  care  ;  and,  Count  of  Llera,  thou 
shalt  know  my  final  decision  to-morrow,  concerning  Dona  Mer- 
cedes and  thyself." 

As  this  was  said  with  a  royal,  as  well  as  with  a  womanly  dig- 
nity, no  one  presumed  to  demur,  but,  making  the  customary 
reverences,  Columbus  and  our  hero  left  the  presence.  It  was 
late  before  the  queen  quitted  Ozema,  but  what  passed  in  this 
interview  will  better  appear  in  the  scenes  that  are  still  to  be 
given. 


498  -  MERCEDES      OF      CAST  ILK. 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

"  "When  sinking  low  the  sufferer  wan 
Beholds  no  arm  outstretched  to  save, 
Fair,  as  the  bosom  of  the  swan 
That  rises  graceful  o'er  the  wave, 
I  've  seen  your  breast  with  pity  heave, 
And  therefore  love  you,  sweet  Genevieve !" 

Coleeidgb. 

When  Isabella  found  herself  alone  with  Ozema  and  Merce- 
des (for  she  chose  that  the  last  should  be  present),  she  entered 
on  the  subject  of  the  marriage  with  the  tenderness  of  a  sensi- 
tive and  delicate  mind,  but  with  a  sincerity  that  rendered  fur- 
ther error  impossible.  The  result  showed  how  naturally  and 
cruelly  the  young  Indian  beauty  had  deceived  herself.  Ardent, 
confiding,  and  accustomed  to  be  considered  the  object  of  gen- 
eral admiration  among  her  own  people,  Ozema  had  fancied  that 
her  own  inclinations  had  been  fully  answered  by  the  young  man. 
From  the  first  moment  they  met,  with  the  instinctive  quickness 
of  a  woman,  she  perceived  that  she  was  admired,  and,  as  she 
gave  way  to  the  excess  of  her  own  feelings,  it  was  almost  a 
necessary  consequence  of  the  communications  she  held  with 
Luis,  that  she  should  think  they  were  reciprocated.  The  very 
want  of  language  in  words,  by  compelling  a  substitution  of  one 
in  looks  and  acts,  contributed  to  the  mistake ;  and  it  will  be 
remembered  that,  if  Luis'  constancy  did  not  actually  waver,  it 
had  been  sorely  tried.  The  false  signification  she  attached  to 
the  word  "  Mercedes,"  largely  aided  in  the  delusion,  and  it  was 
completed  by  the  manly  tenderness  and  care  with  which  our 
hero  treated  her  on  all  occasions.  Even  the  rigid  decorum  that 
Luis  invariably  observed,  and  the  seyere  personal  respect  which 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  499 

he  maintained  toward  his  charge,  had  their  effect  on  her  feel- 
ings ;  for,  wild  and  unsophisticated  as  had  been  her  training, 
the  deep  and  unerring  instinct  of  the  feeble,  told  her  the  nature 
of  the  power  she  was  wielding  over  the  strong. 

Then  came  the  efforts  to  give  her  some  ideas  of  religion,  and 
the  deep  and  lamentable  mistakes  which  imperfectly  explained, 
and  worse  understood  subtleties,  left  on  her  plastic  mind.  Oze- 
ma  believed  that  the  Spaniards  worshipped  the  cross.  She  saw 
it  put  foremost  in  all  public  ceremonies,  knelt  to,  and  apparent- 
ly appealed  to,  on  every  occasion  that  called  for  an  engagement 
more  solemn  than  usual.  Whenever  a  knight  made  a  vow,  he 
kissed  the  cross  of  his  sword-hilt.  The  mariners  regarded  in 
with  reverence,  and  even  the  admiral  had  caused  one  to  be 
erected  as  a  sign  of  his  right  to  the  territory  that  had  been 
ceded  to  him  by  Guacanagari.  In  a  word,  to  her  uninstrueted 
imagination,  it  seemed  as  if  the  cross  were  used  as  a  pledge  for 
the  fidelity  of  all  engagements.  Often  had  she  beheld  and  ad- 
mired the  beautiful  emblem  worn  by  our  hero ;  and,  as  the  hab- 
its of  her  own  people  required  the  exchange  of  pledges  of  value 
as  a  proof  of  wedlock,  she  fancied,  when  she  received  this  much- 
valued  jewel,  that  she  received  the  sign  that  our  hero  took  her 
for  a  wife,  at  a  moment  when  death  was  about  to  part  them  for- 
ever. Further  than  this,  her  simplicity  and  affections  did  not 
induce  her  to  reason  or  to  believe. 

It  was  an  hour  before  Isabella  elicited  -all  these  facts  and  feel- 
ings from  Ozema,  though  the  latter  clearly  wished  to  conceal 
nothing;  in  truth,  had  nothing  to  conceal.  The  painful  part 
of  the  duty  remained  to  be  discharged.  It  was  to  undeceive 
the  confiding  girl,  and  to  teach  her  the  hard  lesson  of  bitterness 
that  followed.  This  was  done,  however,  and  the  queen,  believ- 
ing it  best  to  remove  all  delusion  on  the  subject,  finally  succeed- 
ed in  causing  her  to  understand  that,  before  the  count  had  ever 
seen  herself,  his  affections  were  given  to  Mercedes,  who  was,  in 
truth,  his  betrothed  wife.  Nothing  could  have  been  gentler,  or 
more  femininely  tender,  than  the  manner  in  which  the  queen 
made  her  communication ;  but  the  blow  struck  home,  and  Isa- 


500  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

bella,  herself,  trembled  at  the  consequences  of  her  own  act. 
Never  before  had  she  witnessed  the  outbreaking  of  feeling  in  a 
mind  so  entirely  unsophisticated,  and  the  images  of  what  she 
then  saw,  haunted  her  troubled  slumbers  for  many  succeeding 
nights. 

As  for  Columbus  and  our  hero,  they  were  left  mainly  in 
the  dark,  as  to  what  had  occurred,  for  the  following  week.  It 
is  true,  Luis  received  a  kind  and  encouraging  note  from  his 
aunt,  the  succeeding  day,  and  a  page  of  Mercedes'  silently 
placed  in  his  hand  the  cross  that  he  had  so  long  worn  ;  but, 
beyond  this,  he  was  left  to  his  own  conjectures.  The  moment 
for  explanation,  however,  arrived,  and  the  young  man  received ; 
a  summons  to  the  apartment  of  the  marchioness. 

Luis  did  not,  as  he  expected,  meet  his  aunt  on  reaching  the 
saloon,  which  he  found  empty.  Questioning  the  page  who  had 
been  his  usher,  he  was  desired  to  wait  for  the  appearance  of 
some  one  to  receive  him.  Patience  was  not  a  conspicuous  vir- 
tue in  our  hero's  character,  and  he  excited  himself  by  pacing 
the  room,  for  near  half  an  hour,  ere  he  discovered  a  single  sign 
that  his  visit  was  remembered.  Just  as  he  was  about  to  summon 
an  attendant,  however,  again  to  announce  his  presence,  a  door 
was  slowly  opened,  and  Mercedes  stood  before  him. 

The  first  glance  that  the  young  man  cast  upon  his  betrothed, 
told  him  that  she  was  suffering  under  deep  mental  anxiety. 
The  hand  which  he  eagerly  raised  to  his  lips  trembled,  and  the 
color  came  and  went  on  her  cheeks,  in  a  way  to  show  that  she 
was  nearly  overcome.  Still  she  rejected  the  glass  of  water  that 
he  offered,  putting  it  aside  with  a  faint  smile,  and  motioning 
her  lover  to  take  a  chair,  while  she  calmly  placed  herself  on  v. 
tabouret — one  of  the  humble  seats  she  was  accustomed  to  oc- 
cupy in  the  presence  of  the  queen. 

"  I  have  asked  for  this  interview,  Don  Luis,"  Mercedes  com- 
menced, as  soon  as  she  had  given  herself  time  to  command  her 
feelings,  "  in  order  that  there  may  no  longer  be  any  reasons 
for  mistaking  our  feelings  and  wishes.  You  have  been  sus- 
pected of  having  married  the  Lady  Ozema ;   and  there  was  a 


MERCEDES     OF     o/STILE.  501 

moment  when  you  stood  on  the  verge  of  destruction,  through 
the  displeasure  of  Dona  Isabella." 

"  But,  blessed  Mercedes,  you  never  imputed  to  me  this  act 
of  deception  and  unfaithfulness  ?" 

"  I  told  you  truth,  Senor — for  that  I  knew  you  too  well.  I 
felt  certain  that,  whenever  Luis  de  Bobadilla  had  made  up  his 
mind  to  the  commission  of  such  a  step,  he  would  also  have  the 
manliness  and  courage  to  avow  it.  /  never,  for  an  instant, 
believed  that  you  had  wedded  the  princess." 

"  Why,  then,  those  cold  and  averted  looks  ? — eyes  that 
sought  the  floor,  rather  than  the  meeting  of  glances  that  love 
delights  in ;  and  a  manner  which,  if  it  hath  not  absolutely  dis- 
played aversion,  hath  at  least  manifested  a  reserve  and  distance 
that  I  had  never  expected  to  witness  from  thee  to  me  ?" 

Mercedes'  color  changed,  and  she  made  no  answer  for  a 
minute,  during  which  little  interval  she  had  doubts  of  her  ability 
to  carry  out  her  own  purpose.  Rallying  her  courage,  however, 
the  discourse  was  continued  in  the  same  manner  as  before. 

"  Hear  me,  Don  Luis,"  she  resumed,  "  for  my  history  will 
not  be  long.  When  you  left  Spain,  at  my  suggestion,  to  enter 
on  this  great  voyage,  you  loved  me — of  that  grateful  recollection 
no  earthly  power  can  deprive  me  !  Yes,  you  then  loved  me, 
and  me  only.  We  parted,  with  our  troth  plighted  to  each 
other ;  and  not  a  day  went  by,  during  your  absence,  that  I  did 
not  pass  hours  on  my  knees,  beseeching  heaven  in  behalf  of  the 
admiral  and  his  followers." 

"  Beloved  Mercedes!  It  is  not  surprising  that  success 
crowned  our  efforts ;  such  an  intercessor  could  not  fail  to  be 
heard  !" 

"  I  entreat  you,  sir,  to  hear  me.  Until  the  eventful  day 
which  brought  the  tidings  of  your  return,  no  Spanish  wife  could 
have  felt  more  concern  for  him  on  whom  she  had  placed  all  her 
hopes,  than  I  felt  for  you.  To  me,  the  future  was  bright  and 
filled  with  hope,  if  the  present  was  loaded  with  fear  and  doubt. 
The  messenger  who  reached  the  court,  first  opened  my  eyes  to 
the  sad  realities  of  the  world,  and  taught  me  the  hard  lesson 


502  MERCEDES      OF     CASTILE. 

the  young  are  ever  slow  to  learn — tliat  of  disappointment.  It 
was  then  I  first  heard  of  Ozema — of  your  admiration  of  her 
beauty — your  readiness  to  sacrifice  your  life  in  her  behalf!" 

" Holy  Luke!  Did  that  vagabond,  Sancho,  dare  to  wound 
thy  ear,  Mercedes,  with  an  insinuation  that  touched  the  strength 
or  the  constancy  of  my  love  for  thee  V 

"  He  related  naught  but  the  truth,  Luis,  and  blame  him  not. 
I  was  prepared  for  some  calamity  by  his  report,  and  I  bless 
God  that  it  came  on  me  by  such  slow  degrees,  and  with  the 
means  of  preparation  to  bear  it.  When  I  beheld  Ozema,  I  no 
longer  wondered  at  thy  change  of  feeling — scarce  blamed  it. 
Her  beauty,  I  do  think,  thou  might' st  have  withstood  ;  but  her 
unfeigned  devotion  to  thyself,  her  innocence,  her  winning  sim- 
plicity, and  her  modest  joyousness  and  nature,  are  sufficient  to 
win  a  lover  from  any  Spanish  maiden" — 

"  Mercedes !" 

"  Nay,  Luis,  I  have  told  thee  that  I  blame  thee  not.  It  is 
better  that  the  blow  come  now,  than  later,  when  I  should  not 
be  able  to  bear  it.  There  is  something  which  tells  me  that,  as 
a  wife,  I  should  sink  beneath  the  weight  of  blighted  affections ; 
but,  now,  there  are  open  to  me  the  convent  and  the  espousals 
of  the  Son  of  God.  Do  not  interrupt  me,  Luis,"  she  added, 
smiling  sweetly,  but  with  an  effort  that  denoted  how  difficult  it 
was  to  seem  easy.  "  I  have  to  struggle  severely  to  speak  at 
all,  and  to  an  argument  I  am  altogether  unequal.  Thou  hast 
not  been  able  to  control  thy  affections;  and  to  the  strange 
novelties  that  have  surrounded  Ozema,  as  well  as  to  her  win- 
ning ingenuousness,  I  owe  my  loss,  and  she  oweth  her  gain.  It 
is  the  will  of  Heaven,  and  I  strive  to  think  it  is  to  my  everlast- 
ing advantage.  Had  I  really  wedded  thee,  the  tenderness  that 
is  even  now  swelling  in  my  heart — I  wish  not  to  conceal  it — 
might  have  grown  to  such  a  strength  as  to  supplant  the  love 
I  owe  to  God ;  it  is,  therefore,  doubtless,  better  as  it  is.  If 
happiness  on  earth  is  not  to  be  my  lot,  I  shall  secure  hap- 
piness hereafter.  Nay,  all  happiness  here  will  not  be  lost ; 
I  can  still  pray  for  thee,  as  well  as  for  myself — and  thou  and 


MERCEDES      OF     CASTILE.  503 

Ozema,  of  all  earthly  beings,  will  ever  be  uppermost  in  my 
thoughts." 

u  This  is  so  wonderful,  Mercedes — so  cruel — so  unreasonable — 
and  so  unjust,  that  I  cannot  credit  my  ears  !" 

"  I  have  said  that  I  blame  thee  not.  The  beauty  and  frank- 
ness of  Ozema  are  more  than  sufficient  to  justify  thee,  for  men 
yield  to  the  senses,  rather  than  to  the  heart,  in  bestowing  their 
love.  Then" — Mercedes  blushed  crimson  as  she  continued — 
"  a  Haytian  maid  may  innocently  use  a  power,  that  it  would  ill 
become  a  Christian  damsel  to  employ.  And,  now,  we  will 
come  to  facts  that  press  for  a  decision.  Ozema  hath  been  ill — - 
is  still  ill — dangerously  so,  as  her  Highness  and  my  guardian 
believe — even  as  the  physicians  say — but  it  is  in  thy  power, 
Luis,  to  raise  her,  as  it  might  be,  from  the  grave.  See  her — 
say  but  the  word  that  will  .confer  happiness — tell  her,  if  thou 
hast  not  yet  wedded  her  after  the  manner  of  Spain,  that  thou 
wilt- — nay,  let  one  of  the  holy  priests,  who  are  in  constant  at- 
tendance on  her,  to  prepare  the  way  for  baptism,  perform  the 
ceremony  this  very  morning,  and  we  shall  presently  see  the 
princess,  again,  the  smiling,  radiant,  joyous  creature  she  was, 
when  thou  first  placed  her  in  our  care." 

"  And  this  thou  say'st  to  me,  Mercedes,  calmly  and  deliber- 
ately, as  if  thy  words  express  thy  very  wishes  and  feelings  !" 

"  Calmly  I  may  seem  to  say  it,  Luis,"  answered  our  heroine, 
in  a  smothered  tone,  "  and  deliberately  I  do  say  it.  Marry 
me,  loving  another  better,  thou  canst  not ;  and  why  not,  then, 
follow  whither  thy  heart  leadeth.  The  dowry  of  the  princess 
shall  not  be  small,  for  the  convent  recluse  hath  little  need  of 
gold,  and  none  of  lands." 

Luis  gazed  earnestly  at  the  enthusiastic  girl,  who  in  his  eyes 
never  appeared  more  lovely  ;  then,  rising,  he  paced  the  room  for 
three  or  four  minutes,  like  one  who  wished  to  keep  down  mental 
agony  by  physical  action.  When  he  had  obtained  a  proper 
command  of  himself,  he  returned  to  his  seat,  and  taking  the 
unresisting  hand  of  Mercedes,  he  replied  to  her  extraordinary 
proposal. 


504  MERCEDES      OF     CASTILE. 

u  Watching  over  the  sick  couch  of  thy  friend,  and  too  much 
brooding  on  this  subject,  love,  hath  impaired  thy  judgment. 
Ozema  hath  no  hold  on  my  heart,  in  the  way  thou  fanciest — ■ 
never  had,  beyond  a  passing  and  truant  inclination" — 

"Ah!  Luis,  those  *  passing  and  truant  inclinations.'  None 
such" — pressing  both  her  hands  on  her  own  heart — "  have  ever 
found  a  place  here  !" 

"  Thy  education  and  mine,  Mercedes — thy  habits  and  mine — 
nay,  thy  nature  and  the  ruder  elements  of  mine,  are  not,  cannot 
be  the  same.  "Were  they  so,  I  should  not  worship  thee  as  I 
now  do.  But  didst  thou  not  exist,  the  certainty  that  I  should 
wed  Ozema  would  not  give  me  happiness — but  thou  exist- 
ing, and  beloved  as  thou  art,  it  would  entail  on  me  a  misery 
that  even  my  buoyant  nature  could  not  endure.  In  no  case  can 
I  ever  be  the  husband  of  the  Indian." 

Although  a  gleam  of  happiness  illumined  the  face  of  Mer- 
cedes for  a  moment,  her  high  principles  and  pure  intentions 
soon  suppressed  the  momentary  and  unbidden  triumph,  and, 
even  with  a  reproving  manner,  she  made  her  answer. 

"  Is  this  just  to  Ozema  ?  Hath  not  her  simplicity  been  de- 
luded by  those  i  passing  and  truant  inclinations,'  and  doth  not 
honor  require  that  thy  acts  now  redeem  the  pledges  that  have 
been  given  by,  at  least,  thy  manner  V\ 

"  Mercedes — beloved  girl,  hearken  to  me.  Thou  must  know 
that,  with  all  my  levities  and  backslidings,  I  am  no  coxcomb. 
Never  hath  my  manner  said  aught  that  the  heart  did  not  con- 
firm, and  never  hath  the  heart  been  drawn  toward  any  but 
thee.  In  this,  is  the  great  distinction  that  I  make  between 
thee  and  all  others  of  thy  sex.  Ozema' s  is  not  the  only  form, 
her's  are  not  the  only  charms  that  may  have  caught  a  truant 
glance  from  my  eyes,  or  extorted  some  unmeaning  and  bootless 
admiration,  but  thou,  love,  art  enshrined  here,  and  seemest 
already  a  part  of  myself.  Didst  thou  know  how  often  thy 
image  hath  proved  a  monitor  stronger  than  conscience  ;  on  how 
many  occasions  the  remembrance  of  thy  virtues  and  thy  affec- 
tions hath  prevailed,  when  even  duty,  and  religion,  and  early 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE,  505 

lessons  would  have  been  forgotten,  thou  wouldst  understand 
the  difference  between  the  love  I  bear  thee,  and  what  thou  hast 
so  tauntingly  repeated  as  truant  and  passing  inclination s.n 

"Luis,  I  ought  not  to  listen  to  these  alluring  words,  which 
come  from  a  goodness  of  heart  that  would  spare  me  present 
pain,  only  to  make  my  misery  in  the  end  the  deeper.  If  thou 
hast  never  felt  otherwise,  why  was  the  cross  that  I  gave  thee 
at  parting,  bestowed  on  another  ?" 

"  Mercedes,  thou  know'st  not  the  fearful  circumstances  under 
which  I  parted  with  that  cross.  Death  was  staring  us  in  the 
face,  and  I  gave  it  as  a  symbol  that  might  aid  a  heathen  soul  in 
its  extremity.  That  the  gift,  or  rather  that  the  thing  I  lent, 
was  mistaken  for  a  pledge  of  matrimony,  is  an  unhappy  miscon- 
ception, that  your  own  knowledge  of  Christian  usages  will  tell 
you  I  could  not  foresee  ;  otherwise  I  might  now  claim  thee 
for  my  wife,  in  consequence  of  having  first  bestowed  it  on 
me." 

"  Ah  !  Luis  ;  when  I  gave  thee  that  cross,  I  did  wish  to  be 
understood  as  plighting  my  faith  to  thee  forever !" 

"  And  when  thou  didst  send  it  back  to  me,  now  within  the 
week,  how  was  it  thy  wish  to  be  understood  ?" 

"  I  sent  it  to  thee,  Luis,  in  a  moment  of  reviving  hope,  and 
by  the  order  of  the  queen.  Her  Highness  is  now  firmly  thy 
friend,  and  would  fain  see  us  united,  but  for  the  melancholy 
condition  of  Ozema,  to  whom  all  has  been  explained — all,  as  I 
fear,  except  the  real  state  of  thy  feelings  toward  us  both." 

"  Cruel  girl !  Am  I,  then,  never  to  be  believed — never  again 
to  be  happy  ?  I  swear  to  thee,  dearest  Mercedes,  that  thou 
alone  hast  my  whole  heart — that  with  thee,  I  could  be  contented 
in  a  hovel,  and  that  without  thee  I  should  be  miserable  on  a 
throne.  Thou  wilt  believe  this,  when  thou  see'st  me  a  wretch, 
wandering  the  earth,  reckless  alike  of  hopes  and  objects,  per- 
haps of  character,  because  thou  alone  canst  make  me,  and  keep 
me  the  man  I  ought  to  be.  Bethink  thee,  Mercedes,  of  the  in- 
fluence thou  canst  have — must  have — wilt  have  on  one  of  my 
temperament  and  passions.  I  have  long  looked  upon  thee  as  my 


506  MERCEDES      OP      CASTILE. 

guardian  angel,  one  that  can  mould  me  to  thy  will,  and  rule 
me  when  all  others  fail.  With  thee — the  impatience  pro- 
duced by  thy  doubts  excepted — am  I  not  ever  tractable  and 
gentle  ?  Hath  Dona  Beatriz  ever  exercised  a  tithe  of  thy 
power  over  me,  and  hast  thou  ever  failed  to  tame  even  my 
wildest  and  rashest  humors?" 

"  Luis — Luis — no  one  that  knew  it,  ever  doubted  of  thy 
heart!"  Mercedes  paused,  and  the  working  of  her  counte- 
nance proved  that  the  earnest  sincerity  of  her  lover  had  al- 
ready shaken  her  doubts  of  his  constancy.  Still,  her  mind 
reverted  to  the  scenes  of  the  voyage,  and  her  imagination  por- 
trayed the  couch  of  the  stricken  Ozema.  After  a  minute's 
delay,  she  proceeded,  in  a  low,  humbled  tone — "  I  will  not 
deny  that  it  is  soothing  to  my  heart  to  hear  this  language,  tc 
which,  I  fear,  I  listen  too  readily,"  she  said.  "  Still,  I  find  it 
difficult  to  believe  that  thou  canst  ever  forget  one  who  hath 
even  braved  the  chances  of  death,  in  order  to  shelter  thy 
body  from  the  arrows  of  thy  foes."" 

"  Believe  not  this,  beloved  girl ;  thou  wouldst  have  done 
that  thyself,  in  Ozema's  place,  and  so  I  shall  ever  consider  it." 

"I  should  have  the  wish,  Luis,"  Mercedes  continued,  her 
eyes  suffused  with  tears,  "  but  I  might  not  have  the  power !" 

"  Thou  wouldst — thou  wouldst — I  know  thee  too  well  to 
doubt  it." 

"  I  could  envy  Ozema  the  occasion,  were  it  not  sinful !  I 
fear  thou  wilt  think  of  this,  when  thy  mind  shall  have  tired 
with  attractions  that  have  lost  their  novelty." 

"  Thou  wouldst  not  only  have  done  it,  but  thou  wouldst 
have  done  it  far  better.  Ozema,  moreover,  was  exposed  in  her 
own  quarrel,  whilst  thou  wouldst  have  exposed  thyself  in  mine." 

Mercedes  again  paused,  and  appeared  to  muse  deeply.  Her 
eyes  had  brightened  under  the  soothing  asseverations  of  her 
lover,  and,  spite  of  the  generous  self-devotion  with  which  she 
had  determined  to  sacrifice  all  her  own  hopes  to  what  she  had 
imagined  would  make  her  lover  happy,  the  seductive  influence 
of  requited  affection  was  fast  resuming  its  power. 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  507 

"Come  with  me,  then,  Luis,  and  behold  Ozema,"  she  at 
length  continued.  "  When  thou  see'st  her,  in  her  present 
state,  thou  wilt  better  understand  thine  own  intentions.  I 
ought  not  to  have  suffered  thee  thus  to  revive  thy  ancient  feel- 
ings in  a  private  interview,  Ozema  not  being  present ;  it  is  like 
forming  a  judgment  on  the  hearing  of  only  one  side.  And, 
Luis" — her  heightened  color,  the  effect  of  feeling,  not  of  shame, 
rendered  the  girl  surpassingly  beautiful — "  and,  Luis,  if  thou 
shouldst  find  reason  to  change  thy  language  after  visiting  the 
princess,  however  hard  I  may  find  it  to  be  borne,  thou  wilt  be 
certain  of  my  forgiveness  for  all  that  hath  passed,  and  of  my 
prayers" — 

Sobs  interrupted  Mercedes,  and  she  stopped  an  instant  to 
wipe  away  her  tears,  rejecting  Luis'  attempt  to  fold  her  in  his 
arms,  in  order  to  console  her,  with  a  sensitive  jealousy  of  the 
result ;  a  feeling,  however,  in  which  delicacy  had  more  weight 
than  resentment.  When  she  had  dried  her  eyes,  and  otherwise 
removed  the  traces  of  her  agitation,  she  led  the  way  to  the 
apartment  of  Ozema,  where  the  presence  of  the  young  man  was 
expected. 

Luis  started  on  entering  the  room ;  a  little  on  perceiving  that 
the  queen  and  the  admiral  were  present,  and  more  at  observing 
the  inroads  that  disappointment  had  made  on  the  appearance 
of  Ozema.  The  color  of  the  latter  was  gone,  leaving  a  deadly 
paleness  in  its  place ;  her  eyes  possessed  a  brightness  that 
seemed  supernatural,  and  yet  her  weakness  was  so  evident  as 
to  render  it  necessary  to  support  her,  in  a  half-recumbent  pos- 
ture, on  pillows.  An  exclamation  of  unfeigned  delight  es- 
caped her  when  she  beheld  our  hero,  and  then  she  covered  her 
face  with  both  her  hands,  in  childish  confusion,  as  if  ashamed 
at  betraying  the  pleasure  she  felt.  Luis  behaved  with  manly 
propriety,  for,  though  his  conscience  did  not  altogether  escape 
a  few  twinges,  at  the  recollection  of  the  hours  he  had  wasted 
in  Ozema's  society,  and  at  the  manner  in  which  he  had  momen- 
tarily submitted  to  the  influence  of  her  beauty  and  seductive 
simplicity,  on  the  whole  he  stood  self-acquitted  of  any  thing 


508  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

that  might  fairly  be  urged  as  a  fault,  and  most  of  all,  of  an}' 
thought  of  being  unfaithful  to  his  first  love,  or  of  any  design  to 
deceive.  He  took  the  hand  of  the  young  Indian  respectfully, 
and  he  kissed  it  with  an  openness  and  warmth  that  denoted 
brotherly  tenderness  and  regard,  rather  than  passion,  or  the 
emotion  of  a  lover.  Mercedes  did  not  dare  to  watch  his  move- 
ments, but  she  observed  the  approving  glance  that  the  queen 
threw  at  her  guardian,  when  he  had  approached  the  couch  on 
which  Ozema  lay.  This  glance  she  interpreted  into  a  sign  that 
the  count  had  acquitted  himself  in  a  manner  favorable  to  her 
own  interests. 

"  Thou  find  est  the  Lady  Ozema  weak  and  changed,"  observed 
the  queen,  who  alone  would  presume  to  break  a  silence  that 
was  already  awkward.  "  We  have  been  endeavoring  to  en- 
lighten her  simple  mind  on  the  subject  of  religion,  and  she 
hath,  at  length,  consented  to  receive  the  holy  sacrament  of 
baptism.  The  lord  archbishop  is  even  now  preparing  for  the 
ceremony  in  my  oratory,  and  we  have  the  blessed  prospect  of 
rescuing  this  one  precious  soul  from  perdition." 

"  Your  Highness  hath  ever  the  good  of  all  your  people  at 
heart,"  said  Luis,  bowing  low  to  conceal  the  tears  that  the  con- 
dition of  Ozema  had  drawn  from  his  eyes.  "I  fear  this  climate 
of  ours  ill  agrees  with  the  poor  Haytians,  generally,  for  I  hear 
that  the  sick  among  them,  at  Seville  and  Palos,  offer  but  little 
hope  of  recovery." 

"  Is  this  so,  Don  Christopher  V 

"  Senora,  I  believe  it  is  only  too  true.  Care  hath  been  had, 
however,  to  their  souls,  as  well  as  to  their  bodies,  and  Ozema  is 
the  last  of  her  people,  now  in  Spain,  to  receive  the  holy  rite  of 
Christian  baptism." 

u  Senora,"  said  the  marchioness,  coming  from  the  couch, 
with  surprise  and  concern  in  her  countenance,  "  I  fear  our 
hopes  are  to  be  defeated  after  all !  The  Lady  Ozema  hath  just 
whispered  me,  that  Luis  and  Mercedes  must  first  be  married  in 
her  presence,  ere  she  will  consent  to  be  admitted  within  the  pale 
of  the  church  herself." 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  609 

"  This  dotli  not  denote  the  right  spirit,  Beatriz — and,  yet, 
what  can  be  done  with  a  mind  so  little  illuminated  with  the 
light  from  above.  'Tis  merely  a  passing  caprice,  and  will  be 
forgotten  when  the  archbishop  shall  be  ready." 

"  I  think  not,  Seiiora.  Never  have  I  seen  her  so  decided 
and  clear.  In  common,  we  find  her  gentle  and  tractable,  but 
this  hath  she  thrice  said,  in  a  way  to  cause  the  belief  of  her 
perfect  seriousness." 

Isabella  now  advanced  to  the  couch,  and  spoke  long  and 
soothingly  to  the  invalid.  In  the  meantime,  the  admiral  con- 
versed with  the  marchioness,  and  Luis  again  approached  our 
heroine.  The  evidences  of  emotion  were  plain  in  both,  and 
Mercedes  scarce  breathed,  not  knowing  what  to  expect.  But  a 
few  low  words  soon  brought  an  assurance  that  could  not  fail  to 
bring  happiness,  spite  of  her  generous  efforts  to  feel  for  Ozema 
— that  the  heart  of  our  hero  was  all  her  own.  From  this  mo- 
ment Mercedes  dismissed  every  doubt,  and  she  regarded  Luis  as 
had  so  long  been  her  wont. 

As  is  usual  in  the  presence  of  royalty,  the  conversation  was 
carried  on  in  a  low  tone  ;  and  a  quarter  of  an  hour  elapsed 
before  a  page  announced  that  the  oratory,  or  little  chapel,  was 
ready,  opening  a  door  that  communicated  directly  with  it,  as  he 
entered. 

"This  wilful  girl  persisteth,  Daughter-Marchioness, "  said  the 
queen,  advancing  from  the  side  of  the  couch,  "  and  I  know  not 
what  to  answer.  It  is  cruel  to  deny  her  the  offered  means  of 
grace,  and  yet  it  is  a  sudden  and  unseemly  request  to  make  of 
thy  nephew  and  thy  ward  I" 

"As  for  the  first,  dearest  Senora,  never  distrust  his  for- 
giveness ;  though  I  much  doubt  the  possibility  of  prevailing  on 
Mercedes.  Her  very  nature  is  made  up  of  religion  and  female 
decorum." 

"  It  is,  indeed,  scarce  right  to  think  of  it.  A  Christian  maid- 
en should  have  time  to  prepare  her  spirit  for  the  holy  sacrament 
of  marriage,  by  prayer." 

"  And  yet,  Senora?  many  wed  w- |tl^aut  it !  The  time  hath 
22  - 


510  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

been  when  Don  Ferdinand  of  Aragon  and  Dona  Isabella  might 
not  have  hesitated  for  such  a  purpose." 

"  That  time  never  was,  Beatriz.  Thou  hast  a  habit  of  making 
me  look  back  to  our  days  of  trial  and  youth,  whenever  thou 
wouldst  urge  on  me  some  favorite  but  ill-considered  wish  of 
thine  own.  Dost  really  think  thy  ward  would  overlook  the 
want  of  preparation  and  time  V1 

"  I  know  not  what  she  might  feel  disposed  to  overlook, 
Senora ;  but  I  do  know  that  if  there  be  one  woman  in  Spain 
who  is  at  all  times  ready  in  spirit,  for  the  most  sacred  rites  of 
the  church,  it  is  your  Highness ;  and,  if  there  be  another,  it  is 
my  ward." 

"Go  to — go  to — good  Beatriz;  flattery  sitteth  ill  on  thee. 
None  are  always  ready,  and  all  have  an  unceasing  need  for 
watchfulness.  Bid  Dona  Mercedes  follow  to  my  closet ;  I  will 
converse  with  her  on  this  subject.  At  least,  there  shall  be  no 
unfeminine  and  unseemly  surprise." 

So  saying,  the  queen  withdrew.  She  had  hardly  reached 
her  closet,  before  our  heroine  entered,  with  a  doubtful  and 
timid  step.  As  soon  as  her  eyes  met  those  of  her  sovereign, 
Mercedes  burst  into  tears,  and  falling  on  her  knees,  she  again 
buried  her  face  in  the  robe  of  Dona  Isabella.  This  outbreak 
of  feeling  was  soon  subdued,  however,  and  then  the  girl  stood 
erect,  waiting  her  sovereign's  pleasure. 

"Daughter,"  commenced  the  queen,  "I  trust  there  is  no 
longer  any  misapprehension  between  thee  and  the  Conde  de 
Llera.  Thou  know'st  the  views  of  thy  guardian  and  myself, 
and  may'st,  in  a  matter  like  this,  with  safety  defer  to  our  cooler 
heads  and  greater  experience.  Don  Luis  loveth  thee,  and  hath 
never  loved  the  princess,  though  it  would  not  be  out  of  character 
did  an  impetuous  young  man,  who  hath  been  much  exposed  to 
temptation,  betray  some  transient  and  passing  feeling  toward 
one  of  so  much  nature  and  beauty." 

"Luis  hath  admitted  all,  Senora;  inconstant  he  hath  never 
been,  though  he  may  have  had  his  weaknesses." 

"  'Tis  a  hard  lesson  to  learn,  child,  even  in  this  stage  of  thy 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  *  511 

life,"  said  tlie  queen,  gravely;  "but  it  would  have  been  harder 
were  it  deferred  until  the  nearer  tenderness  of  a  wife  had  super- 
seded the  impulses  of  the  girl.  Thou  hast  heard  the  opinions 
of  the  learned ;  there  is  little  hope  that  the  Princess  Ozema  can 
long  survive." 

"  Ah !  Senora,  'tis  a  cruel  fate  !  To  die  among  strangers,  in 
the  flower  of  her  beauty,  and  with  a  heart  crushed  by  the  weight 
of  unrequited  love !" 

"  And  yet,  Mercedes,  if  heaven  open  on  her  awaking  eyes, 
when  the  last  earthly  scene  is  over,  the  transition  will  be  most 
blessed ;  and  they  who  mourn  her  loss,  would  do  wiser  to  re- 
joice. One  so  youthful  and  so  innocent;  whose  pure  mind 
hath  been  laid  bare  to  us,  as  it  might  be,  and  which  we  have 
found  wanting  in  nothing  beside  the  fruits  of  a  pious  instruc- 
tion, can  have  little  to  apprehend  on  the  score  of  personal 
errors.  All  that  is  required  for  such  a  being,  is  to  place  her 
within  the  covenant  of  God's  grace,  by  obtaining  the  rite  of 
baptism,  and  there  is  not  a  bishop  of  the  church  that  could  de- 
part with  brighter  hopes  for  the  future." 

"That  holy  office  is  my  lord  archbishop  about  to  administer, 
as  I  heai^  Senora." 

"  That  somewhat  depend eth  on  thee,  daughter.  Listen,  and 
be  not  hasty  in  thy  decision,  which  may  touch  on  the  security 
of  a  human  soul." 

The  queen  now  related  to  Mercedes  the  romantic  request  of 
Ozema,  placing  it  before  her  listener  in  terms  so  winning  and 
gentle,  that  it  produced  less  surprise  and  alarm  than  she  herself 
had  anticipated. 

"  Dona  Beatriz  hath  a  proposal  that  may,  at  first,  appear 
plausible,  but  which  reflection  will  not  sanction.  Her  design 
was  to  cause  the  count  actually  to  wed  Ozema" — Mercedes 
started,  and  turned  pale — "in  order  that  the  last  hours  of  the 
young  stranger  might  be  soothed  by  the  consciousness  of  being 
the  wife  of  the  man  she  idolized  ;  but  I  have  found  serious  ob- 
jections to  the  scheme.     What  is  thy  opinion,  daughter?" 

"  Senora,  could  I  believe — as  lately  I  did,  but  now  do  not — 


512  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

that  Luis  had  such  a  preference  for  the  princess  as  might  lead 
him,  in  the  end,  to  the  happiness  of  that  mutual  affection  with- 
out which  wedlock  must  be  a  curse  instead  of  a  blessing,  I 
would  be  the  last  to  object ;  nay,  I  think  I  could  even  beg  the 
boon  of  your  Highness  on  my  knees,  for  she  who  so  truly  lov- 
eth  can  only  seek  the  felicity  of  its  object.  But  I  am  assured 
the  count  hath  not  the  affection  for  the  Lady  Ozema  that  is  nec- 
essary to  this  end;  and  would  it  not  be  profane,  Senora,  to 
receive  the  church's  sacraments  under  vows  that  the  heart  not 
only  does  not  answer  to,  but  against  which  it  is  actually  strug- 
gling?" 

"  Excellent  girl!  These  are  precisely  my  own  views,  and  in 
this  manner  have  I  answered  the  marchioness.  The  rites  of  the 
church  may  not  be  trifled  with,  and  we  are  bound  to  submit  to 
sorrows  that  may  be  inflicted,  after  all,  for  our  eternal  good ; 
though  it  be  harder  to  bear  those  of  others  than  to  bear  our 
own.  It  remaineth  only  to  decide  on  this  whim  of  Ozema' s, 
and  to  say  if  thou  wilt  now  be  married,  in  order  that  she  may 
be  baptized." 

Notwithstanding  the  devotedness  of  feeling  with  which  our 
heroine  loved  Luis,  it  required  a  strong  struggle  with  her  habits 
and  her  sense  of  propriety  to  take  this  great  step  so  suddenly, 
and  with  so  little  preparation.  The  wishes  of  the  queen,  how- 
ever, prevailed;  for  Isabella  felt  a  deep  responsibility  on  her 
own  soul,  in  letting  the  stranger  depart  without  being  brought 
within  the  pale  of  the  church.  When  Mercedes  consented*  she 
despatched  a  messenger  to  the  marchioness,  and  then  she  and 
her  companion  both  knelt,  and  passed  near  an  hour  together,  in 
the  spiritual  exercises  that  were  usual  to  the  occasion.  In  this 
mood,  did  these  pure-minded  females,  without  a  thought  to  the 
vanities  of  the  toilet,  but  with  every  attention  to  the  mental 
preparations  of  which  the  case  admitted,  present  themselves  at 
the  door  of  the  royal  chapel,  through  which  Ozema  had  just 
been  carried,  still  stretched  on  her  couch.  The  marchioness 
had  caused  a  white  veil  to  be  thrown  over  the  head  of  Merce- 
des, and  a  few  proper  but  slight  alterations  had  been  made  in 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  513 

her  attire,  out  of  habitual  deference  to  the  altar  and  its  min- 
isters. 

About  a  dozen  persons,  deemed  worthy  of  confidence,  were 
present,  already ;  and  just  as  the  bride  and  bridegroom  were 
about  to  take  their  places,  Don  Ferdinand  hastily  entered,  carry- 
ing in  his  hand  some  papers  which  he  had  been  obliged  to 
cease  examining,  in  order  to  comply  with  the  wishes  of  his 
royal  consort.  The  king  was  a  dignified  prince  ;  and  when 
it  suited  him,  no  sovereign  enacted  his  part  more  gracefully 
or  in  better  taste.  Motioning  the  archbishop  to  pause,  he 
directed  Luis  to  kneel.  Throwing  over  the  shoulder  of  the 
young  man  the  collar  of  one  of  his  own  orders,  he  said — 

"  Now,  arise,  noble  sir,  and  ever  do  thy  duty  to  thy  Heaven- 
ly Master,  as  thou  hast  of  late  discharged  it  toward  us." 

Isabella  rewarded  her  husband  for  this  act  of  grace  by  an  ap- 
proving smile,  and  the  ceremony  immediately  proceeded.  In 
the  usual  time,  our  hero  and  heroine  were  pronounced  man  and 
wife,  and  the  solemn  rites  were  ended.  Mercedes  felt,  in  the 
warm  pressure  with  which  Luis  held  her  to  his  heart,  that  she 
now  understood  him ;  and,  for  a  blissful  instant,  Ozema  was 
forgotten,  in  the  fulness  of  her  own  happiness.  Columbus  had 
given  away  the  bride — an  office  that  the  king  had  assigned  to 
him,  though  he  stood  at  the  bridegroom's  side  himself,  with  a 
view  to  do  him  honor,  and  even  so  far  condescended  as  to  touch 
the  canopy  that  was  held  above  the  heads  of  the  new-married 
couple.  But  Isabella  kept  aloof,  placing  herself  near  the  couch 
of  Ozema,  whose  features  she  watched  throughout  the  ceremo- 
ny. She  had  felt  no  occasion  for  public  manifestations  of  inter- 
est in  the  bride,  their  feelings  having  so  lately  been  poured  out 
together  in  dear  and  private  communion.  The  congratulations 
were  soon  over,  and  then  Don  Ferdinand,  and  all  but  those  who 
were  in  the  secret  of  Ozema' s  history,  withdrew. 

The  queen  had  not  desired  her  husband,  and  the  other  at- 
tendants, to  remain  and  witness  the  baptism  of  Ozema,  out  of  a 
delicate  feeling  for  the  condition  of  a  female  stranger,  whom  her 
habits  and  opinions  had  invested  with  a  portion  of  the  sacred 


514  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

rights  of  royalty.  She  had  noted  the  intensity  of  feeling  with 
which  the  half-enlightened  girl  watched  the  movements  of  the 
archbishop  and  the  parties,  and  the  tears  had  forced  themselves 
from  her  own  eyes,  at  witnessing  the  struggle  between  love  and 
friendship,  that  was  portrayed  in  every  lineament  of  her  pale, 
but  still  lovely  countenance. 

" Where  cross?"  Ozema  eagerly  demanded,  as  Mercedes 
stooped  to  fold  the  wasted  form  of  the  young  Indian  in  her 
arms,  and  to  kiss  her  cheek.  "  Give  cross — Luis  no  marry  with 
cross — give  Ozema  cross.' ' 

Mercedes,  herself,  took  the  cross  from  the  bosom  of  her 
husband,  where  it  had  lain  near  his  heart,  since  it  had  been  re- 
turned to  him,  and  put  it  in  the  hands  of  the  princess. 

"  No  marry  with  cross,  then,"  murmured  the  girl,  the  tears 
suffusing  her  eyes,  so  as  nearly  to  prevent  her  gazing  at  the 
much-prized  bauble.  "  Now,  quick,  Sefiora,  and  make  Ozema 
Christian. " 

The  scene  was  getting  to  be  too  solemn  and  touching  for 
many  words,  and  the  archbishop,  at  a  sign  from  the  queen, 
commenced  the  ceremony.  It  was  of  short  duration  ;  and  Isa- 
bella's kind  nature  was  soon  quieted  with  the  assurance  that  the 
stranger,  whom  she  deemed  the  subject  of  her  especial  care, 
was  put  within  the  covenant  for  salvation  that  had  been  made 
with  the  visible  church. 

"  Is  Ozema  Christian  now  ?"  demanded  the  girl,  with  a  sud- 
denness and  simplicity,  that  caused  all  present  to  look  at  each 
other  with  pain  and  surprise. 

"  Thou  hast,  now,  the  assurance  that  God's  grace  will  be 
offered  to  thy  prayers,  daughter,"  answered  the  prelate.  "  Seek 
it  with  thy  heart,  and  thy  end,  which  is  at  hand,  will  be  more 
blessed." 

"  Christian  no  marry  heathen  ? — Christian  marry  Christian  ?" 

"  This  hast  thou  been  often  told,  my  poor  Ozema,"  returned 
the  queen ;  "  the  rite  could  not  be  duly  solemnized  between 
Christian  and  heathen." 

"  Christian  marry  first  lady  he  love  best  ?" 


MERCEDES      OP     CASTILE.  515 

"  Certainly.  To  do  otherwise  would  be  a  violation  of  his  vow, 
and  a  mockery  of  God." 

"  So  Ozerna  think — but  he  can  marry  second  wife— inferior 
wife — lady  he  love  next.  Luis  marry  Mercedes,  first  wife,  be- 
cause he  love  best — then  he  marry  Ozema,  second  wife — lower 
wife — because  he  love  next  best — Ozema  Christian,  now,  and  no 
harm.     Come,  archbishop;  make  Ozema  Luis'  second  wife." 

Isabella  groaned  aloud,  and  walked  to  a  distant  part  of  the 
chapel,  while  Mercedes  burst  into  tears,  and  sinking  on  her 
knees,  she  buried  her  face  in  the  cloth  of  the  couch,  and  prayed 
fervently  for  the  enlightening  of  the  soul  of  the  princess.  The 
churchman  did  not  receive  this  proof  of  ignorance  in  his  peni- 
tent, and  of  her  unfitness  for  the  rite  he  had  just  administered, 
with  the  same  pity  and  indulgence. 

"  The  holy  baptism  thou  hast  just  received,  benighted  wo- 
man," he  said,  sternly,  "  is  healthful,  or  not,  as  it  is  improved. 
Thou  hast  just  made  such  a  demand,  as  already  loadeth  thy 
soul  with  a  fresh  load  of  sin,  and  the  time  for  repentance  is 
short.  No  Christian  can  have  two  wives  at  the  same  time,  and 
God  knoweth  no  higher  or  lower,  no  first  or  last,  between  those 
whom  his  church  hath  united.  Thou  canst  not  be  a  second 
wife,  the  first  still  living." 

"No  would  be  to  Caonabo — to  Luis,  yes.  Fifty,  hundred 
wife  to  dear  Luis !     No  possible  V 

"  Self-deluded  and  miserable  girl,  I  tell  thee  no.  No — no — - 
no — never — never — never.  There  is  such  a  taint  of  sin  in  the 
very  question,  as  profaneth  this  holy  chapel,  and  the  symbols 
of  religion  by  which  it  is  filled.  Ay,  kiss  and  embrace  thy 
cross,  and  bow  down  thy  very  soul  in  despair,  for" — 

"  Lord  Archbishop,"  interrupted  the  Marchioness  of  Moya, 
with  a  sharpness  of  manner  that  denoted  how  much  her  ancient 
spirit  was  aroused,  "  there  is  enough  of  this.  The  ear  thou 
wouldst  wound,  at  such  a  moment,  is  already  deaf,  and  the  pure 
spirit  hath  gone  to  the  tribunal  of  another,  and,  as  I  trust,  a 
milder  judge.     Ozema  is  dead !" 

It  was,  indeed,  true.     Startled  by  the  manner  of  the  prelate 


51 6 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 


— bewildered  with  the  confusion  of  ideas  that  had  grown  up 
between  the  dogmas  that  had  been  crowded  on  her  mind,  of 
late,  and  those  in  which  she  had  been  early  taught ;  and  phys- 
ically paralyzed  by  the  certainty  that  her  last  hope  of  a  union 
with  Luis  was  gone,  the  spirit  of  the  Indian  girl  had  deserted 
its  beautiful  tenement,  leaving  on  the  countenance  of  the  corpse 
a  lovely  impression  of  the  emotions  that  had  prevailed  during 
the  last  moments  of  its  earthly  residence. 

Thus  fled  the  first  of  those  souls  that  the  great  discovery  was 
to  rescue  from  the  perdition  of  the  heathen.  Casuists  may  re- 
fine, the  learned  dilate,  and  the  pious  ponder,  on  its  probable 
fate  in  the  unknown  existence  that  awaited  it :  but  the  meek 
and  submissive  will  hope  all  from  the  beneficence  of  a  merciful 
God.  As  for  Isabella,  she  received  a  shock  from  the  blow  that 
temporarily  checked  her  triumph  at  the  success  of  her  zeal  and 
efforts.  Little,  however,  did  she  foresee,  that  the  event  was 
but  a  type  of  the  manner  in  which  the  religion  of  the  cross  was 
to  be  abused  and  misunderstood ;  a  sort  of  practical  prognostic 
of  the  defeat  of  most  of  her  own  pious  and  gentle  hopes  and 
wishes. 


MERCEDES      OF     CASTILE.  517 


CHAPTER   XXXI. 


4  A  perfect  woman,  nobly  planned 
To  warn,  to  comfort,  and  command ; 
And  yet  a  spirit  still,  and  bright, 
With  something  of  an  angel  light." 

WORDSWOKTJI. 


The  lustre  that  was  thrown  around  the  voyage  of  Columbus, 
brought  the  seas  into  favor.  It  was  no  longer  deemed  an  infe- 
rior occupation,  or  unsuited  to  nobles  to  engage  in  enterprises 
on  its  bosom ;  and  that  very  propensity  of  our  hero,  which  had 
so  often  been  mentioned  to  his  prejudice  in  former  years,  was 
now  frequently  named  to  his  credit.  Though  his  real  connec- 
tion with  Columbus  is  published,  for  the  first  time,  in  these 
pages,  the  circumstance  having  escaped  the  superficial  investiga- 
tions of  the  historians,  it  was  an  advantage  to  him  to  be  known 
as  having  manifested  what  might  be  termed  a  maritime  dispo- 
sition, in  an  age  when  most  of  his  rank  and  expectations  were 
satisfied  with  the  adventures  of  the  land.  A  sort  of  fashion 
was  got  up  on  behalf  of  the  ocean ;  and  the  cavalier  who  had 
gazed  upon  its  vast  and  unbroken  expanse,  beyond  the  view  of 
his  mother  earth,  regarded  him  who  had  not,  much  as  he  who 
had  won  his  spurs  looked  down  upon  him  who  had  suffered  the 
proper  period  of  life  to  pass  without  making  the  effort.  Many 
of  the  nobles  whose  estates  touched  the  Mediterranean  or  the 
Atlantic,  fitted  out  small  coasters — the  yachts  of  the  fifteenth 
century — and  were  met  following  the  sinuosities  of  the  glorious 
coasts  of  that  part  of  the  world,  endeavoring  to  derive  a  satis- 
faction from  a  pursuit  that  it  seemed  meritorious  to  emulate. 
That  all  succeeded  who  attempted  thus  to  transfer  the  habits 


51 S  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

of  courts  and  castles  to  the  narrow  limits  of  xebecs  and  feluc- 
cas, it  would  be  hazarding  too  much  to  assert ;  but  there  is 
little  doubt  that  the  spirit  of  the  period  was  sustained  by  the 
experiments,  and  that  men  were  ashamed  to  condemn  that, 
which  it  was  equally  the  policy  and  the  affectation  of  the  day 
to  extol.  The  rivalry  between  Spain  and  Portugal,  too,  con- 
tributed to  the  feeling  of  the  times ;  and  there  was  soon 
greater  danger  of  the  youth  who  had  never  quitted  his  native 
shores,  being  pointed  out  for  his  want  of  spirit,  than  that  the 
adventurer  should  be  marked  for  his  eccentric  and  vagrant 
instability. 

In  the  meanwhile,  the  seasons  advanced,  and  events  followed, 
in  their  usual  course,  from  cause  to  effect.  About  the  close  of 
the  month  of  September,  the  ocean,  just  without  that  narrow 
and  romantic  pass  that  separates  Europe  from  Africa,  while  it 
connects  the  transcendent  Mediterranean  with  the  broader 
wastes  of  the  Atlantic,  was  glittering  with  the  rays  of  the  rising 
sun,  which,  at  the  same  time,  was  gilding  the  objects  that  rose 
above  the  surface  of  the  blue  waters.  The  latter  were  not  nu- 
merous, though  a  dozen  different  sails  were  moving  slowly  on 
their  several  courses,  impelled  by  the  soft  breezes  of  the  season. 
Of  these,  our  business  is  with  one  alone,  which  it  may  be  well 
to  describe  in  a  few  general  terms. 

The  rig  of  the  vessel  in  question  was  latine,  perhaps  the 
most  picturesque  of  all  that  the  ingenuity  of  man  has  invented 
as  the  accessory  of  a  view,  whether  given  to  the  eye  by  means 
of  the  canvas,  or  in  its  real  dimensions  and  substance.  Its 
position,  too,  was  precisely  that  which  a  painter  would  have 
chosen  as  the  most  favorable  to  his  pencil,  the  little  felucca  run- 
ning before  the  wind,  with  one  of  its  high  pointed  sails  ex- 
tended on  each,  side,  resembling  the  pinions  of  some  enormous 
bird  that  was  contracting  its  wings  as  it  settled  toward  its  nest. 
Unusual  symmetry  was  apparent  in  the  spars  and  rigging ;  while 
the  hull,  which  was  distinguished  by  lines  of  the  fairest  propor- 
tions, had  a  neatness  and  finish  that  denoted  the  yacht  of  a 
noble. 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  519 

The  name  of  this  vessel  was  the  "Ozema,"  and  she  carried 
the  Count  of  Llera  with  his  youthful  bride.  Luis,  who  had 
acquired  much  of  the  mariner's  skill,  in  his  many  voyages, 
directed  the  movements  in  person,  though  Sancho  Mundo 
strutted  around  her  decks  with  an  air  of  authority,  being  the 
titular,  if  not  the  real  patron  of  the  craft. 

"Ay — ay — good  Bartolemeo,  lash  that  anchor  well,"  said 
the  last,  as  he  inspected  the  forecastle,  in  his  hourly  rounds ; 
"  for  fair  as  may  be  the  breezes,  and  mild  as  is  the  season, 
no  one  can  know  what  humor  the  Atlantic  may  be  in,  when 
it  fairly  waketh  up.  In  the  great  voyage  to  Cathay,  nothing 
could  have  been  more  propitious  than  our  outward  passage^  and 
nothing  savor  more  of  devils  incarnate,  than  the  homeward. 
Dona  Mercedes  maketh  an  excellent  sailor,  as  ye  all  may  see  { 
and  no  one  can  tell  which  way,  or  how  far,  the  humor  of  tas 
conde  may  carry  him,  when  he  hath  once  taken  his  departure. 
I  tell  ye,  fellows,  that  glory  and  gold  may  alight  upon  ye  all, 
any  minute,  in  the  service  of  such  a  noble  ;  and  I  hope  none  of 
ye  have  forgotten  to  come  provided  with  hawk's-bells,  which 
are  as  remarkable  for  assembling  doblas,  as  the  bells  of  the 
Seville  cathedral  are  for  assembling  Christians." 

"  Master  Mundo,"  called  out  our  hero,  from  the  quarter- 
deck, ulet  there  be  a  man  sent  to  the  extremity  of  the  fore- 
yard,  and  bid  him  look  along  the  sea  to  the  north  and  east 
of  us." 

This  command  interrupted  one  of  Sancho' s  self-glorifying 
discourses,  and  compelled  him  to  see  the  order  executed.  When 
the  seaman  who  was  sent  aloft,  had  "  shinned"  his  way  to  the 
airy  and  seemingly  perilous  position  he  had  been  told  to 
occupy,  an  inquiry  went  up  from  the  deck,  to  demand  what  he 
beheld. 

"  Sefior  Conde,"  answered  the  fellow,  "  the  ocean  is  studded 
with  sails,  in  the  quarter  your  Excellency  hath  named,  looking 
like  the  mouth  of  the  Tagus,  at  the  first  of  a  westerly  wind." 

"  Canst  thou  tell  them,  and  let  me  know  their  numbers?" 
called  out  Luis. 


520  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

"  By  the  mass,  Senor,"  returned  the  man,  after  taking  time 
to  make  his  count,  "  I  see  no  less  than  sixteen — nay,  now  I 
see  another,  a  smaller  just  opening  from  behind  a  carrack  of 
size — seventeen,  I  make  them  in  all." 

"Then  are  we  in  season,  love!"  exclaimed  Luis,  turning  to- 
ward Mercedes  with  delight — "  once  more  shall  I  grasp  the 
hand  of  the  admiral,  ere  he  quitteth  us  again  for  Cathay.  Thou 
seemest  glad  as  myself,  that  our  effort  hath  not  failed." 

"That  which  gladdeneth  thee,  Luis,  is  sure  to  gladden  me," 
returned  the  bride ;  "  where  there  is  but  one  interest,  there 
ought  to  be  but  one  wish." 

"Beloved — beloved  Mercedes — thou  wilt  make  me  every 
thing  thou  canst  desire.  This  heavenly  disposition  of  thine, 
and  this  ready  consenting  to  voyage  with  me,  will  be  sure  to 
mould  me  in  such  a  way  that  I  shall  be  less  myself  than  thee." 

"As  yet,  Luis,"  returned  the  young  wife,  smiling,  "the 
change  promiseth  to  be  the  other  way,  since  thou  art  much 
likelier  to  make  me  a  rover,  than  I  to  make  thee  a  fixture  of 
the  castle  of  Llera." 

"  Thou  comest  not  out  upon  the  sea,  Mercedes,  contrary  to 
thine  own  wishes  f"  demanded  Luis,  with  the  earnest  quickness 
of  one  who  was  fearful  he  might  unconsciously  have  done  an 
act  of  indiscretion. 

"  No,  dearest  Luis ;  so  far  from  it,  that  I  have  come  with 
satisfaction,  apart  from  the  pleasure  I  have  had  in  obliging  thee. 
Fortunately,  I  feel  no  indisposition  from  the  motion  of  the 
felucca,  and  the  novelty  is  of  the  most  agreeable  and  exciting 
kind." 

To  say  that  Luis  rejoiced  to  hear  this  on  more  accounts 
than  one,  is  but  to  add  that  he  still  found  a  pleasure  in  the 
scenes  of  the  ocean. 

In  half  an  hour  the  vessel  of  the  admiral  ^ras  visible  from  the 
Ozema's  deck,  and  ere  the  sun  had  reached  the  meridian,  the 
little  felucca  was  gliding  into  the  centre  of  the  fleet,  holding 
her  course  toward  the  carrack  of  Columbus.  The  usual  hailing 
passed,  when,  apprised  of  the  presence  of  Mercedes,  the  admiral 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  521 

gallantly  repaired  on  board  the  Ozema,  to  pay  his  respects  in 
person.  The  scenes  through  which  they  had  passed  together, 
had  created  in  Columbus  a  species  of  paternal  regard  for  Luis, 
in  which  Mercedes  shared,  through  the  influence  of  her  noble 
conduct  during  the  events  that  occurred  at  Barcelona.  He  met 
the  happy  pair,  therefore,  with  dignified  affection,  and  his  re- 
ception partook  of  the  feelings  that  the  count  and  countess  so 
fully  reciprocated. 

Nothing  could  be  more  striking  to  one  who  had  an  oppor- 
tunity of  witnessing  both,  than  the  contrast  between  the  means 
with  which  the  Genoese  sailed  on  this,  and  on  his  former  voy- 
age. Then  he  had  set  forth  neglected,  almost  forgotten,  in 
three  vessels,  ill-found,  and  worse  manned,  while  now,  the 
ocean  was  whitened  with  his  canvas,  and  he  was  surrounded 
by  no  inconsiderable  portion  of  the  chivalry  of  Spain.  As 
soon  as  it  mm  known  that  the  Countess  of  Llera  was  in  the 
felucca  that  had  stopped  the  fleet,  boats  put  off  from  most  of 
the  vessels,  and  Mercedes  held  a  sort  of  court  on  the  broad 
Atlantic  ;  her  own  female  attendants,  among  whom  were  two 
or  three  of  the  rank  of  ladies,  assisting  her  in  doing  proper 
honor  to  the  cavaliers  who  thronged  the  deck.  The  balmy  in- 
fluence of  trie  pure  air  of  the  ocean,  contributed  to  the  happi- 
ness of  the  moment ;  and,  for  an  hour,  the  Ozema  presented  a 
sfcene  of  gaiety  and  splendor,  such  as  had  never  before  been 
witnessed  by  any  person  present. 

"  Beautiful  Countess,"  cried  one,  who  had  been  a  rejected 
suitor  of  our  heroine,  "you  see  to  what  acts  of  desperation 
your  cruelty  hath  driven  me,  who  am  going  forth  on  an  adven- 
ture to  the  furthest  east.  It  is  well  for  Don  Luis  that  I  did  not 
make  this  venture  before  he  won  your  favor ;  as  no  damsel  in 
Spain  is  expected,  henceforth,  to  withstand  the  suit  of  one  of 
the  admiral's  followers." 

"  It  may  be  as  you  say,  Senor,"  returned  Mercedes,  her 
heart  swelling  with  the  consciousness  that  he  whom  she  had 
chosen  had  made  this  same  boasted  adventure,  while  others 
shrunk  from  its  hazard,  and  when  its  result  was  still  a  mystery 


522  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

in  tlie  unknown  future — "  It  may  be  as  you  say;  but  one  of 
moderate  wishes,  like  myself,  must  be  content  with  these  unam- 
bitious voyages  along  the  coast,  in  which,  happily,  a  wife  may 
be  her  husband's  companion." 

"  Lady,"  cried  the  gallant  and  reckless  Alonzo  de  Ojeda,  in 
his  turn,  "  Don  Luis  caused  me  to  roll  upon  the  earth,  in  the 
tourney,  by  a  fair  and  manly  effort,  that  hath  left  no  rancor  be- 
hind it ;  but  I  shall  outdo  him  now,  since  he  is  content  to  keep 
the  shores  of  Spain  in  view,  leaving  to  us  the  glory  of  seeking 
the  Indies,  and  of  reducing  the  Infidels  to  the  sway  of  the  two 
sovereigns  !" 

"  It  is  a  sufficient  honor  to  my  husband,  Serior,  that  he  can 
boast  of  the  success  you  name,  and  he  must  rest  satisfied  with 
the  reputation  acquired  in  that  one  deed." 

"  Countess,  a  year  hence  you  would  love  him  better,  did  he 
come  forth  with  us,  and  show  his  spirit  among  the  people  of 
the  Grand  Khan !" 

"  Thou  see'st,  Don  Alonzo,  that  the  illustrious  admiral  doth 
not  altogether  despise  him  as  it  is.  They  seek  a  private  inter- 
view in  my  cabin  together;  an  attention  Don  Christopher  would 
not  be  apt  to  pay  a  recreant,  or  a  laggard." 

"  'Tis  surprising  !"  resumed  the  rejected  suitor  ;  "  the  favor 
of  the  conde  with  our  noble  admiral  hath  surprised  us  all,  at 
Barcelona.  Can  it  be,  de  Ojeda,  that  they  have  met  in  som'e 
of  their  earlier  nautical  wanderings  ?" 

"  By  the  mass!  Seiior,"  cried  Alonzo,  laughing,  "  if  Don 
Luis  ever  met  the  admiral,  as  he  met  me  in  the  lists,  I 
should  think  one  interview  would  answer  for  the  rest  of  their 
days !" 

In  this  manner  did  the  discourse  proceed,  some  speaking  in 
levity,  some  in  more  sober  mood,  and  all  in  amity.  While 
this  was  passing  on  deck,  Columbus  had,  indeed,  retired  to  a 
cabin  with  our  hero. 

"  Don  Luis,"  said  the  admiral,  when  they  were  seated  near 
each  other,  and  alone,  "  thou  know'st  the  regard  I  bear  thee, 
and  I  feel  certain  that  thou  returnest  it  with  an  equal  degree  of 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  523 

esteem.  I  now  go  forth  from  Spain,  on  a  far  more  perilous  ad- 
venture than  that  in  which  thou  wert  my  companion.  Then  I 
sailed  concealed  in  contempt,  and  veiled  from  human  eyes 
by  ignorance  and  pity ;  now,  have  I  left  the  old  world,  fol- 
lowed by  malignancy  and  envy.  These  facts  am  I  too  old  not 
to  have  seen,  and  foreseen.  In  my  absence,  many  will  be 
busy  with  my  name.  Even  they  who  now  shout  at  my  heels 
will  become  my  calumniators,  revenging  themselves  for  past 
adulation  by  present  detraction.  The  sovereigns  will  be  beset 
with  lies,  and  any  disappointment  in  the  degree  of  success  will 
be  distorted  into  crimes.  I  leave  friends  behind  me,  too — 
friends,  such  as  Juan  Perez,  de  St.  Angel,  Quintanilla,  and  thy- 
self. On  ye,  then,  do  I  greatly  rely,  not  for  favors,  but  for  the 
interest  of  truth  and  justice/' 

"  Seiior,  you  may  count  upon  my  small  influence  under 
all  circumstances.  I  have  seen  you  in  the  day  of  trial,  and 
it  exceedeth  ordinary  misrepresentations  to  weaken  my  faith  in 
you." 

"This  did  I  believe,  Luis,  even  before  it  was  so  warmly  and 
sincerely  said,"  returned  the  admiral,  squeezing  the  young 
man's  hand  with  fervor.  "I  doubt  if  Fonseca,  who  hath  now 
so  much  power  in  the  affairs  of  India,  is  truly  my  friend. 
Then,  there  is  one  of  thy  blood  and  name,  who  hath  already 
regarded  me  with  unfavorable  eyes,  and  whom  I  distrust  ex- 
ceedingly, should  an  occasion  offer  in  which  he  might  do  me 
injury." 

"  I  know  him  well,  Don  Christopher,  and  account  him  as  do- 
ing no  credit  to  the  house  of  Bobadilla." 

"  He  hath  credit,  nevertheless,  with  the  king,  which  is  of 
more  importance,  just  now  !" 

"  Ah !  Senor,  to  that  wily  and  double-faced  monarch,  you 
must  look  for  nothing  generous.  So  long  as  Dona  Isabella's 
ear  can  be  kept  open  to  the  truth,  there  is  nothing  to  fear,  but 
Don  Ferdinand  groweth  each  day  more  worldly  and  temporiz- 
ing. Mass  ! — that  one  who,  in  youth,  was  so  bold  and  manly 
a  knight,  should  in  his  age  betray  so  many  of  the  meannesses 


524  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

that  would  disgrace  a  Moor !  My  noble  aunt,  however,  is  a 
host  in  herself,  and  will  ever  remain  true  to  you,  as  she  com- 
menced. " 

"God  overruleth  all,  and  it  were  sinful  to  distrust  either  his 
wisdom  or  justice.  And  now,  Luis,  one  word  touching  thyself. 
Providence  hath  made  thee  the  guardian  of  the  happiness  of 
such  a  being  as  is  seldom  found  this  side  the  gates  of  heaven. 
The  man  who  is  blessed  with  a  virtuous  and  amiable  wife,  like 
her  thou  hast  wedded,  should  erect  an  altar  in  his  heart,  on 
which  he  ought  to  make  daily,  nay,  hourly  sacrifices  of  grati- 
tude to  God  for  the  boon ;  since  of  all  earthly  blessings,  he  en- 
joyeth  the  richest,  the  purest,  and  the  most  lasting,  should  he 
not  be  unmindful  of  his  own  riches.  But  a  woman  like  Dona 
Mercedes  is  a  creature  as  delicate  as  she  is  rare.  Let  her  equa- 
nimity check  thy  impetuosity ;  her  purity  rebuke  the  less 
refined  elements  of  thy  composition ;  her  virtue  stimulate  thine 
own  ;  her  love  keep  thine  in  an  unceasing  flame,  and  her  ten- 
derness be  a  constant  appeal  to  thy  manly  indulgence  and 
protection.  Fulfil  all  thy  duties  as  a  Spanish  grandee,  son, 
and  seek  felicity  in  the  partner  of  thy  bosom,  and  in  love  to 
God." 

The  admiral  noAV  gave  Luis  his  blessing,  and,  taking  leave 
of  Mercedes  in  the  same  solemn  manner,  he  hastened  to  his 
carrack.  Boat  after  boat  quitted  the  felucca,  many  calling 
out  their  leave-takings  even  after  they  were  at  a  distance. 
In  a  few  minutes,  the  heavy  yards  swung  around,  and  the* 
fleet  was  again  sweeping  off  toward  the  south-west,  holding 
its  way,  as  was  then  fancied,  toward  the  distant  shores  of 
India.  For  an  hour  the  Ozema  lay  where  she  had  been 
left  by  Columbus,  as  if  gazing  at  her  retiring  friends;  then 
her  canvas  filled,  and  she  hauled  up  toward  that  bight  of 
the  coast,  at  the  bottom  of  which  lay  the  port  of  Palos  de 
Moguer. 

The  afternoon  was  deliciously  balmy,  and  when  the  felucca 
drew  in  with  the  land,  the  surface  of  the  sea  was  as  smooth  as 
that  of  an  inland  lake.     There  was  just  wind  enough  to  cool 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE,  525 

the  air,  and  to  propel  the  little  vessel  three  or  four  knots 
through  the  water.  The  day  apartment  occupied  by  our  hero 
and  heroine,  was  on  the  quarter-deck.  It  was  formed,  on  the 
exterior,  by  a  tarpauling,  bent  like  the  tilt  of  a  wagon,  while  the 
interior  was  embellished  with  a  lining  of  precious  stuffs  that  con- 
verted it  into  a  beautiful  little  saloon.  In  front,  a  canvas  bulkhead 
protected  it  from  the  gaze  of  the  crew ;  and,  toward  the  stearn 
a  rich  curtain  fell,  when  it  became  necessary  to  shut  out  the 
view.  The  latter  was  now  carelessly  festooned,  permitting  the 
eye  to  range  over  a  broad  expanse  of  the  ocean,  and  to  watch 
the  glories  of  the  setting  sun. 

Mercedes  reclined  on  a  luxurious  couch,  gazing  on  the  ocean, 
and  Luis  touched  a  guitar,  seated  on  a  stool  at  her  feet.  He 
had  just  played  a  favorite  national  air,  which  he  had  accompa- 
nied with  his  voice,  and  had  laid  aside  the  instrument,  when  he 
perceived  that  his  young  wife  did  not  listen,  with  her  usual 
fondness  and  admiration,  to  his  music. 

"Thou  art  thoughtful,  Mercedes,"  he  said,  leaning  forward 
to  read  the  melancholy  expression  of  those  eyes  that  were  so 
often  glowing  with  enthusiasm. 

"The  sun  is  setting  in  the  direction  of  the  land  of  poor 
Ozema,  Luis,"  Mercedes  answered,  a  slight  tremor  pervading 
her  voice  ;  "  the  circumstance,  in  connection  with  the  sight  of 
this  boundless  ocean,  that  so  much  resembleth  eternity,  hath 
led  me  to  think  of  her  end.  Surely — surely — a  creature  so 
innocent  can  never  be  consigned  to  eternal  misery,  because  he  J 
unenlightened  mind  and  impassioned  feelings  were  unable  to 
comprehend  all  the  church's  mysteries  !" 

"  I  would  that  thou  thought' st  less  on  this  subject,  love  ;  thy 
prayers,  and  the  masses  that  have  been  said  for  her  soul,  should 
content  thee ;  or,  if  thou  wilt,  the  last  can  be  repeated,  again 
and  again." 

"We  will  offer  still  more,"  returned  the  young  wife,  scarce 
speaking  above  her  breath,  while  the  tears  fell  down  her  cheeks. 
"The  best  of  us  will  need  masses,  and  we  owe  this  to  poor 
Ozema.      Didst  thou  bethink  thee,  to  intercede   again  with 


526  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

the  admiral,  to  do  all  service  to  Mattinao,  on  reaching  Es- 
panola?" 

"  That  hath  been  attended  to,  and  so  dismiss  the  subject 
from  thy  mind.  The  monument  is  already  erected  at  Llera, 
and  we  may  feel  regret  for  the  loss  of  the  sweet  girl,  but  can 
scarce  mourn  for  her.  Were  I  not  Luis  de  Bobadilla,  thy  hus- 
band, dearest,  I  could  think  her  the  subject  of  envy,  rather 
than  of  pity.' ' 

"  Ah  !  Luis,  thy  flattery  is  too  pleasing  to  bring  reproof,  bat 
it  is  scarce  seemly.  Even  the  happiness  I  feel,  in  being  assured 
of  thy  love — that  our  fortunes,  fate,  name,  interests  are  one — is, 
in  truth,  but  misery,  compared  with  the  seraphic  joys  of  the 
blessed ;  and  to  such  joys  I  could  wish  Ozema's  spirit  might  be 
elevated." 

"  Doubt  it  not,  Mercedes ;  she  hath  all  that  her  good- 
ness and  innocence  can  claim.  Mass  !  If  she  even  have  half 
that  I  feel,  in  holding  thee  thus  to  my  heart,  she  is  no  sub- 
ject for  grief,  and  thou  say'st  she  hath,  or  wilt  have,  tenfold 
more." 

"  Luis — Luis — speak  not  thus  !  We  will  have  other  masses 
said  at  Seville,  as  well  as  at  Burgos  and  Salamanca.'1 

"As  thou  wilt,  love.  Let  them  be  said  yearly,  monthly, 
weekly,  forever,  or  as  long  as  the  churchmen  think  they  may 
have  virtue." 

Mercedes  smiled  her  gratitude,  and  the  conversation  became 
less  painful,  though  it  continued  to  be  melancholy.  An  hour 
passed  in  this  manner,  during  which,  the  communion  was  of 
the  sweet  character  that  pervades  the  intercourse  of  those  who 
love  tenderly.  Mercedes  had  already  acquired  a  powerful  com- 
mand over  the  headlong  propensities  and  impetuous  feelings  of 
her  husband,  and  was  gradually  moulding  him,  unknown  to 
herself,  to  be  the  man  that  was  necessary  to  her  own  feelings. 
In  this  change,  which  was  the  result  of  influence,  and  not  of 
calculation  or  design,  she  was  aided  by  the  manly  qualities  of 
our  hero,  which  were  secretly  persuading  him  that  he  had  now 
the  happiness  of  another  in  his  keeping,  as  well  as  his  owrn. 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  527 

This  is  an  appeal  that  a  really  generous  mind  seldom  withstands, 
and  far  oftener  produces  the  correction  of  minor  faults,  than 
any  direct  management,  or  open  rebukes.  Perhaps  Mercedes' 
strongest  arm,  however,  was  her  own  implicit  confidence  in  her 
husband's  excellence,  Luis  feeling  a  desire  to  be  that  which  she 
so  evidently  thought  him  ;  an  opinion  that  his  own  conscience 
did  not,  in  the  fullest  extent,  corroborate. 

Just  as  the  sun  had  set,  Sancho  came  to  announce  that  he 
had  let  go  the  anchor. 

"Here  we  are,  Senor  Conde — here  we  are,  at  last,  Senora 
Dona  Mercedes,  lying  off  the  town  of  Palos,  and  within  a  hun- 
dred yards  of  the  very  spot  where  Don  Christopher  and  his 
gallant  companions  departed  for  the  discovery  of  the  Indies — 
God  bless  him  a  hundred-fold,  and  all  who  went  with  him. 
The  boat  is  ready  to  take  you  to  the  shore,  Senora ;  and  there, 
if  you  do  not  find  Seville,  or  Barcelona,  cathedrals  and  palaces, 
you  will  find  Palos,  and  Santa  Clara,  and  the  ship-yard-gate — 
three  places  that  are,  henceforth,  to  be  more  renowned  than 
either :  Palos,  as  having  sent  forth  the  expedition ;  Santa  Clara, 
as  having  saved  it  from  destruction,  by  vows  fulfilled  at  its 
altars ;  and  the  gate,  for  having  had  the  ship  of  the  admiral 
built  within  it." 

"And  other  great  events,  good  Sancho  !"  put  in  the  count. 

"  Just  so,  your  Excellency  ;  and  for  other  great  events.  Am 
I  to  land  you,  lady  ?" 

Mercedes  assented,  and  in  ten  minutes  she  and  her  husband 
were  walking  on  the  beach,  within  ten  yards  of  the  very  spot 
where  Columbus  and  Luis  had  embarked  the  previous  year. 
The  firm  sands  were  now  covered  with  people,  walking  in  the 
cool  of  the  evening.  Most  of  them  were  of  the  humbler 
classes,  this  being  the  only  land,  we  believe,  in  which  the 
population  of  countries  that  possess  a  favorable  climate,  do 
not  thus  mingle  in  their  public  promenades,  at  that  witch- 
ing hour. 

Luis  and  his  beautiful  wife  had  landed  merely  for  exercise 
and  relaxation,  well  knowing  that  the  felucca  possessed  better 


528  MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 

accommodations  than  any  hosteria  of  Palos ;  and  they  fell  into 
the  current  of  the  walkers.  Before  them  was  a  group  of  young 
matrons,  who  were  conversing  eagerly,  and  sufficiently  loud  to 
be  overheard.  Our  hero  and  heroine  instantly  ceased  their 
own  discourse,  when  they  found  that  the  subject  was  the  voy- 
age to  Cathay. 

"This  day,"  said  one  of  the  party,  in  a  tone  of  authority, 
"  did  Don  Christopher  sail  from  Cadiz  ;  the  covereigns  deem- 
ing Palos  too  small  a  port  for  the  equipment  of  so  great  an  en- 
terprise. You  may  depend  on  what  I  tell  ye,  good  neighbors  ; 
my  husband,  as  you  all  well  know,  holding  an  appointment  in 
the  admiral's  own  ship." 

"You  are  to  be  envied,  neighbor,  that  he  is  in  so  good  repute 
with  so  great  a  man  !" 

"  How  could  he  be  otherwise,  seeing  that  he  was  with  him 
before,  when  few  had  courage  to  be  his  companions,  and  was 
ever  faithful  to  his  orders.  i  Monica' — nay,  it  was  'good  Mon- 
ica'— said  the  admiral  to  me,  with  his  own  mouth,  f  thy  Pepe 
is  a  true-hearted  mariner,  and  hath  conducted  to  my  entire 
satisfaction.  He  shall  be  made  the  boatswain  of  my  own  car- 
rack,  and  thou,  and  thy  posterity,  to  the  latest  antiquity,  may 
boast  that  you  belong  to  so  good  a  man.'  These  were  his 
words ;  and  what  he  said,  he  did — Pepe  being  now  a  boat- 
swain. But  the  paters  and  aves  that  I  said  to  reach  this  good 
fortune,  would  pave  this  beach  !" 

Luis  now  stepped  forward  and  saluted  the  party,  making 
curiosity  to  know  the  particulars  of  the  first  departure,  his  ex- 
cuse. As  he  expected,  Monica  did  not  recognize  him  in  his 
present  rich  attire,  and  she  willingly  related  all  she  knew,  and 
not  a  little  more.  The  interview  showed  how  completely  this 
woman  had  passed  from  despair  to  exultation,  reducing  the  gen- 
eral and  more  public  change  of  sentiment,  down  to  the  individ- 
ual example  of  a  particular  case. 

"  I  have  heard  much  of  one  Pinzon,"  added  Luis,  "  who 
went  forth  as  pilot  of  a  caravel  in  the  voyage  ;  what  hath  be- 
come of  him  ?" 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE.  520 

"  Senior,  he  is  dead !"  answered  a  dozen  voices,  Monica's, 
however,  so  far  getting  the  ascendency,  as  to  tell  the  story. 
"  He  was  once  a  great  man  in  this  quarter  ;  but  now  his  name 
is  lost,  like  his  life.  He  was  untrue,  and  died  of  grief,  it  id 
said,  when  he  found  the  Nina  lying  in  the  river,  when  hs  ex- 
pected to  have  had  all  the  glory  to  himself.'' 

Luis  had  been  too  much  engrossed  with  his  own  feelings  t? 
have  heard  this  news  before,  and  he  continued  his  walk,  musing 
and  sad. 

"  So  much  for  unlawful  hopes,  and  designs  that  God  doth 
not  favor  I"  he  exclaimed,  when  they  had  walked  a  consid- 
erable distance.  "  Providence  hath,  I  think,  been  of  the 
admiral's  side ;  and  certainly,  my  love,  it  hath  been  of 
mine." 

"  This  is  Santa  Clara,"  observed  Mercedes.  "  Luis,  I  would 
enter,  and  return  a  thanksgiving  at  its  altars  for  thy  safety  and 
return,  and  offer  a  prayer  for  the  future  success  of  Don  Chris- 
topher." 

They  both  entered  the  church,  and  they  knelt  together  at 
the  principal  altar ;  for,  in  that  age,  the  bravest  warriors  were 
not  as  much  ashamed,  as  in  our  own  times,  of  publicly  acknowl- 
edging their  gratitude  to,  and  their  dependence  on  God.  This 
duty  performed,  the  happy  pair  returned  silently  to  the  beach, 
and  went  off  to  the  felucca. 

Early  in  the  morning,  the  Ozema  sailed  for  Malaga  again, 
Luis  being  fearful  he  might  be  recognized  if  he  continued  at 
Palos.  Their  port  was  reached  in  safety  ;  and  shortly  after  the 
party  arrived  at  Valverde,  the  principal  estate  of  Mercedes, 
where  we  shall  leave  our  hero  and  heroine  in  the  enjoyment  of 
a  felicity  that  was  as  great  as  could  be  produced  by  the  connec- 
tion between  manly  tenderness  on  one  side,  and  purity  of  feel- 
ing and  disinterested  womanly  love  on  the  other. 

At  a  late  day,  there  were  other  Luis  de  Bobadillas  in  Spain, 
among  her  gallant  and  noble,  and  other  Mercedes',  to  cause  the 
hearts  of  the  gay  and  aspiring  to  ache ;  but  there  was  only  one 
Ozema.     She  appeared  at  court,  in  the  succeeding  reign,  and, 


530 


MERCEDES      OF      CASTILE. 


for  a  time,  blazed  like  a  star  tliat  had  just  risen  in  a  pure 
atmosphere.  Her  career,  however,  was  short,  dying  young  and 
lamented ;  since  which  time,  the  name  itself  has  perished.  It 
is,  m  part,  owing  to  these  circumstances,  that  we  have  been 
obliged  to  drag  so  much  of  our  legend  from  the  lost  records  of 
that  eventful  period. 


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